Zimbabwe Death Certificate Fees & Registration Guide (2026)
Registering a death is one of those things nobody wants to think about until they need to — usually while also dealing with a funeral and an estate. Here’s exactly what it costs and what the Registrar General’s office asks for, so you’re not caught out.
Zimbabwe death certificate fees
Prices last confirmed 4 hours ago.
All of these are handled by the Civil Registry Department (the same office that issues passports). Fees are billed in USD, but you can pay in ZiG at the exchange rate on the day.
| Service | Fee (USD) | Fee (ZiG) |
|---|---|---|
| Photocopying any birth or death document/page | US$0.20 | ZiG 5 |
| Initial death certificate | US$2.00 | ZiG 53 |
| Certified copy of an entry of birth or death certificate | US$5.00 | ZiG 133 |
| An extract of an entry relating to birth or death | US$2.00 | ZiG 53 |
| Urgent birth/death certicate | US$10.00 | ZiG 266 |
What you need to register a death
- The death entry number for the deceased (issued when the death is first reported/confirmed)
- A marriage certificate, if the deceased was married
- If the couple was customarily married or cohabiting rather than formally married, the surviving spouse needs to attend in person together with relatives of the deceased
Death that happened outside Zimbabwe
If the death occurred abroad, bring the original death certificate issued in that country (translated into English if it wasn’t issued in English), along with the deceased’s Zimbabwean national ID or passport.
Processing time
A duplicate death certificate — the one you’ll usually need for banks, insurance claims or an estate — normally takes 5 working days, or 24 hours if you ask for urgent processing (an extra fee applies for urgent service).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The death entry number of the deceased, a marriage certificate if they were married, and — for a customary marriage or cohabiting couple — the surviving spouse attending in person with relatives of the deceased.
Bring the original death certificate issued in that country (translated into English if necessary) along with the deceased’s Zimbabwean national ID or passport.
Normally 5 working days. Urgent processing brings that down to 24 hours, for an extra fee.
Yes — apply at the Registrar’s office with documentary evidence supporting the correction. The standard correction fee is US$5.00 (or the ZiG equivalent); there’s no charge if the error was the Department’s own mistake.
No — registering a death or requesting a duplicate/certified copy is done directly at the Registrar General’s office, not through a lawyer. You’d only typically involve a lawyer separately for winding up the deceased’s estate.
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