Aug 19, 2026

How to Download a Death Certificate in Singapore

When a loved one passes away, the family must handle several important documents. Fortunately, Singapore has simplified one key step. After a doctor certifies the death online, the next of kin can download the official digital death certificate from My Legacy.

This guide explains how to download a death certificate in Singapore. It also covers the information you need, the 30-day deadline, common download problems and the next steps for burial or cremation.

If you need immediate help with funeral arrangements, call or WhatsApp Singapore Funeral Committee at 9844 8444. Our funeral director can guide your family through the required procedures with patience, dignity and respect.

What Is a Digital Death Certificate?

A digital death certificate is the official electronic record of a death in Singapore. The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) issues the document after a registered doctor certifies the death online.

Since 29 May 2022, ICA has stopped issuing physical death certificates for newly certified deaths. Instead, ICA generates a digital certificate automatically. Therefore, the next of kin no longer needs to visit a police post, hospital registration counter or ICA Building to register the death.

The certificate contains important information about the deceased and the death. Moreover, the document includes security features that allow authorised organisations to verify it. Families can save the PDF, print a copy and use it for funeral, estate, banking and insurance matters.

Who Can Download the Certificate?

ICA allows an eligible next of kin to download the digital death certificate. In addition, a person whom the next of kin authorises may complete the download.

Eligible family relationships include:

• Spouse
• Parent
• Child
• Sibling
• Grandparent
• Grandchild
• Aunt or uncle
• Niece or nephew

A funeral director may also assist when the next of kin provides proper authorisation. However, the family should protect the deceased’s personal information and share it only with trusted, authorised parties.

What Information Do You Need?

First, wait for the doctor or hospital to complete the online death certification. The doctor or hospital staff will then give the next of kin the details needed for the download.

Before you open the My Legacy service, prepare these three items:

1. Death Certificate number or Confirmation of Death document number
2. Deceased’s identification document number, such as the NRIC, FIN or passport number used during certification
3. Date of death

Most importantly, enter every detail exactly as the doctor or hospital provided it. For example, one incorrect digit may prevent the portal from locating the certificate.

How to Download a Death Certificate in Singapore: Step by Step

Step 1: Confirm That a Doctor Has Certified the Death

Before you begin, confirm that the doctor has completed the online certification. For a hospital death, hospital staff usually provide the required details. However, when someone passes away at home, a licensed doctor must attend and confirm the death before the family can proceed. Read our detailed guide on how to arrange an on-call doctor to certify a death at home in Singapore.

Meanwhile, a coroner’s case follows a different process. In that situation, the family can retrieve the certificate after the authorities complete the necessary procedures and release the required information.

Step 2: Visit the Official My Legacy Service

Next, open the official My Legacy death or stillbirth certificate download service. Use only the government website because the process involves sensitive personal information.

Additionally, avoid websites that request an unnecessary payment for the original digital certificate. ICA does not charge a fee for death registration or the first digital death certificate.

Step 3: Choose the Death Certificate Option

On the service page, choose the option for a death certificate. Then, read the instructions before entering any information. Do not select the stillbirth certificate option unless it applies to your case.

Step 4: Enter the Required Details

Enter the Death Certificate number or Confirmation of Death document number. After that, enter the deceased’s identification document number and date of death.

At this stage, check the information carefully. In particular, make sure you enter the deceased’s identification number rather than the identification number of the family member completing the download.

Step 5: Download the Digital PDF

Once the portal finds the record, download the PDF immediately. Then, open the file and check that the details appear clearly.

For easier identification, rename the file using a simple format such as Death-Certificate-Full-Name.pdf. However, do not edit, crop or alter the contents of the certificate.

Step 6: Save a Secure Backup

After downloading the certificate, save a backup in another secure location. For instance, you may keep one copy on a computer and another in secure cloud storage. As a result, the family can retrieve the document later even if a device fails.

You may also print a copy for funeral or administrative appointments. Nevertheless, keep the original PDF because some organisations may request the digital version.

Download the Certificate Within 30 Days

The 30-day deadline is extremely important. ICA makes the digital death certificate available through My Legacy for only 30 days after the doctor certifies the death online.

Therefore, download and save the document as soon as the hospital or doctor gives you the required information. Do not wait until the funeral has ended because families often need the certificate again for banks, insurers and estate matters.

ICA does not charge for the original digital death certificate. However, once the 30-day period ends, My Legacy will no longer provide the original download.

What Should You Do After the 30-Day Period?

If you miss the deadline or lose the file, you may need to apply to ICA for a digital death extract. A death extract can replace a lost or unavailable certificate for a death that occurred and was registered in Singapore.

Unlike the original certificate, a death extract requires a separate application and payment. You may need to provide the deceased’s full name, sex, date of death and NRIC or Singapore Death Registration/Certificate number.

Consequently, downloading and backing up the original certificate within 30 days saves time, effort and additional expense.

What If My Legacy Cannot Find the Certificate?

Sometimes, the portal may not locate the record immediately. If this happens, follow these checks:

• Confirm that the doctor has completed the online death certification.
• Check every digit in the certificate or Confirmation of Death number.
• Enter the deceased’s identification number exactly as recorded.
• Confirm the date of death and use the requested date format.
• Try an updated browser and allow PDF downloads.

If the problem continues, contact the certifying doctor or hospital. In some cases, the doctor may have issued a Confirmation of Death because the online system was temporarily unavailable.

Importantly, NEA and Town Councils accept the Confirmation of Death for funeral, burial or cremation-related applications. Therefore, families can continue with urgent funeral procedures while they seek help with the digital certificate.

Why Do Families Need the Death Certificate?

The death certificate supports many immediate and future procedures. For example, the family may need it for:

• Applying for a Permit to Bury or Cremate
• Booking a burial or cremation
• Making funeral arrangements
• Informing banks, insurers and government agencies
• Handling probate, estate and inheritance matters
• Closing accounts or transferring assets
• Preparing repatriation or overseas documents

After obtaining the certificate, families can review NEA’s official information about burial, cremation and ash management in Singapore. This resource explains the available government-managed facilities and related procedures.

How Can a Funeral Director Help?

Grief can make administrative tasks feel difficult. Therefore, an experienced funeral director can guide the family, explain the documents and coordinate the necessary arrangements.

For example, a funeral director can help with the Permit to Bury or Cremate, crematorium or cemetery arrangements, wake logistics and religious requirements. Furthermore, the funeral director can coordinate repatriation documents when the deceased needs to return overseas.

For compassionate assistance, visit Singapore Funeral Committee or call/WhatsApp 9844 8444. We support families of all religions and backgrounds throughout Singapore.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does ICA charge for the digital death certificate?

No. ICA provides death registration and the original digital death certificate free of charge. However, ICA charges a fee if you later need to apply for a death extract.

Can I collect a physical certificate from ICA?

No. ICA stopped issuing physical death certificates for newly certified deaths from 29 May 2022. Instead, families receive the official certificate as a digital PDF. You may still print the PDF when you need a paper copy.

How long can I access the certificate through My Legacy?

You can download it for 30 days after the doctor certifies the death online. Therefore, retrieve it as soon as you receive the required details.

Can a funeral director retrieve the certificate?

Yes, a funeral director may assist when an eligible next of kin provides authorisation and the correct information. Nevertheless, the next of kin should understand how the funeral company will use and protect the document.

What should I do immediately after downloading it?

First, open the PDF and check the details. Next, save the original file securely and create a backup. Finally, share it only with authorised people or organisations that need it for funeral or estate matters.

Need Help With Funeral Arrangements in Singapore?

Singapore Funeral Committee provides professional assistance for funeral arrangements, direct cremation, burial, repatriation and post-funeral matters. Above all, we remain committed to transparent guidance, dignity and respect.

For immediate assistance, call or WhatsApp 9844 8444.

This article provides general information. Government procedures may change. Therefore, check the linked ICA, My Legacy and NEA services for the latest official requirements.