Obtaining a transfer permit

For corpses that are to be transferred to places outside the Federal Republic of Germany, the local regulatory authority of the place of death issues a mortuary passport. In the case of transfers within the Federal Republic of Germany, a mortuary passport must be issued if this is prescribed by law.

Please contact the local regulatory authority, registry office, undertaker and transfer company.

A transfer is only possible after the clear determination of the death and the issuance of the death certificate by a doctor.

Depending on the type of burial, place of death and place of transfer, the procedure and number of transfer trips differ. The fees therefore depend on the individual case and cannot be quantified here. In addition to the fees, the conditions for the transfer are to be inquired at the respective funeral or transfer company.

In principle, the transfer must begin no later than 36 hours after death.

• International Convention on the Transport of Corpses of 10 February 1937 (RGBl. 1938 II p. 199) with the exception of the transport of corpses within border areas (so-called Berlin Convention).

• Funeral Law Rhineland-Palatinate
• State Ordinance for the Implementation of the Funeral Act (BestattGDV RP)

• Funeral and transfer companies
• consular missions abroad of Germany (consulates general and consulates of the Federal Republic of Germany)
• General regulatory authorities

• General regulatory authorities

The texts / service descriptions available on the Internet are merely an orientation aid (for private use). Decisive is the current legal situation, which is derived from the applicable legal provisions. Despite the greatest possible care in the compilation of the service description, errors and changes are reserved.

01.10.2021

No legal advice is provided with the service description. Legal advice or legal advice is reserved, inter alia, for members of the legal profession.