A Seychelles Death Certificate often needs to be presented abroad to settle an estate, release insurance funds, or close foreign bank accounts in the name of the deceased. CommercialRegister LTD, based in Victoria, handles the full Apostille Death Certificate Seychelles procedure on behalf of heirs, executors, and law firms, without requiring anyone to travel to the islands.
The Hague Apostille Convention has applied to the Seychelles since 1979, which means a Seychelles Apostille is recognised in 120+ countries worldwide. We order a freshly issued Death Certificate from the Civil Status Office, have the Supreme Court of Seychelles add the Apostille, and send it to you by email and, if you wish, by DHL Express. Standard turnaround is 5 to 9 business days.
When you need it
Foreign institutions will not act on a Seychelles Death Certificate unless its origin is officially confirmed. An Apostille is the standard form of confirmation accepted across Hague Convention countries.
- Inheritance and succession abroad. Notaries and probate courts overseas require an apostilled Death Certificate before they will open a succession file, transfer real estate, or distribute assets to heirs.
- Life insurance and pension claims. Insurers in Europe, North America, and Asia routinely demand an apostilled Death Certificate before releasing payouts to beneficiaries.
- Closing foreign bank and brokerage accounts. Banks holding accounts in the name of the deceased need official proof of death, apostilled, before they will close accounts or transfer balances.
- Estate proceedings and probate. Lawyers handling cross-border estates submit the apostilled certificate as part of the probate bundle, often alongside a will and grant of administration.
- Cancelling civil registrations abroad. Foreign civil registries may require an apostilled certificate to update marital status records or terminate dual residency files.
Most of our clients in this category are heirs and executors based in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, India, and the United States.
How it works
We order a fresh original from the Civil Status Office. You send the names, the date and the island.
- You give us the names, date and islandNo copy needed. For a birth certificate, the parents' names help.
- The Civil Status Office issues a new original4–6 business days
- The Supreme Court adds the Apostille1–3 business days
- You receive itAs a PDF by email, and the original by DHL Express if you choose it.
For families abroad
Families living abroad cannot use the Civil Status Office's online service, because it requires a Seychelles identity card. We apply on your behalf and send the apostilled certificate by email, with the original by DHL if your authority needs paper.
Several copies
Banks, insurers and courts often each keep an original. Order the number of copies you need at once; each one is apostilled.
What we need from you
- Full name of the deceased
- Date and island of death
- Your relationship to the deceased
Prices
| Service | Price | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Status certificate with Apostille | 99 € | Birth, marriage or death certificate, newly issued |
| Ministry of Foreign Affairs | 149 € | Countries outside the Hague Convention, some medical documents |
| Embassy attestation in Victoria | 149 € | Only if the destination country asks for it; embassy fees may be added |
| DHL Express, worldwide | 99 € | Once per order, however many documents |
| PDF by email | included | Every order |
Countries outside the Hague Convention
If the country where the estate is being settled is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, the Apostille route is sufficient. This covers 120+ jurisdictions including the United Kingdom, all EU member states, the United States, South Africa, India, Australia, and most of Latin America.
If the destination is outside the Hague framework, for example the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Vietnam, or several African states, the Death Certificate must instead go through Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation (+149 EUR) followed by attestation at the relevant embassy. Embassy fees vary by country and are billed at cost.
We confirm the correct route for your destination before starting. Full details are on our embassy attestation page.
Questions
Can the whole process be handled remotely from abroad?
Yes. We work entirely by email and DHL. You never need to travel to Seychelles, and you do not need to send us the old certificate: we order a new original from the Civil Status Office.
What is the typical turnaround?
Four to six business days at the Civil Status Office, then one to three at the Supreme Court. If embassy attestation is needed for a non-Hague country, allow an additional one to three weeks depending on the embassy.
Does the Apostille on a Death Certificate ever expire?
The Apostille itself does not expire, but many probate registries, insurers, and banks will only accept a Death Certificate apostilled within the last six to twelve months. Check with the receiving institution before ordering.
I am not a Seychelles citizen but my late relative was. Can I still order this?
Yes. Heirs, executors, and lawyers of any nationality can request the service. We may ask for a document showing your link to the deceased so we can apply on your behalf.
What if I only have a photocopy of the original Death Certificate?
That is no problem. We order a fresh original from the Seychelles Civil Status Office in any case. A plain photocopy cannot be apostilled.
Do I need a sworn translation as well?
It depends on the destination. Courts in France, Italy, Germany, and most Spanish-speaking countries will want a sworn translation attached. Ask us before ordering if you want the translation made here before the Apostille.
Can you send the apostilled certificate directly to my lawyer or to the foreign institution?
Yes. Provide the recipient's full address and a contact phone number, and we will dispatch DHL Express directly there. Many clients prefer this when the document is going straight into a probate file.
Can you help if the death has not been registered yet?
Registration is done locally by the family or the hospital. Once it is registered, we can order the certificate.