Important Documents You Need To Know About

The Registrar General is responsible for registering all births and deaths in Zimbabwe as well as issuing birth and death certificates. This article shall focus on the requirements for obtaining a burial order and a death certificate.

Burial Order

A burial order is an important document. A family representative or an authorized undertaker can obtain a burial order for the deceased. The following are required when obtaining a burial order depending on the circumstances of death.

(a) Burial order for a person who has died in a health institution after 24 hours

• National identity document or valid passport of a close relative
• Deceased’s national identity document, valid passport or child health care card if deceased is a minor without birth certificate
• Notice of death forms (BD11 forms) completed by health information assistance or clerks
• Medical certificate confirming cause of death (BD12 forms), if a person dies in a private medical institution it shall be completed by a medical doctor

(b) Burial Order for a person who has died at home or in a health institution after 24 hours

• National Identity document or valid passport of a close relative
• Deceased’s national identity document, valid passport or child health card if deceased is minor with no birth certificate
• Notice of death forms(BD11) forms completed by Police Officers
• Form 231 (application for post mortem)

Death Certificate

This is issued by the Registrar General. The following are required

(a)  Registration of death that occurred in hospital

• Deceased person’s national identity document
• Death registration form (BD11) duly completed by the hospital or any other prescribed informant
• A police application for post mortem examination (form 231) duly completed by a pathologist where applicable
• A medical certificate of the cause of death (form BD12) issued by the doctor who last attended the deceased.
• Marriage certificate where applicable

(b) Registration of death that occurred outside of hospital

• Deceased person’s identity document
• Two competent witnesses (18 years & above) with national identity documents, who were present at time of death or burial
• A letter from the chief, village head or headman or councillor confirming that the deceased dies in his or her area
• Clinic document or treatment documentation where possible

This article contains information for general information purposes only, legal advice must be sought in any aspect of the law.