Death Registrations

It’s the official recording of foetal death and death of persons who died within the boundaries of Ghana. Death registration is done in the district within which the death occurred and with relevant documentations such the original copy of the medical cause of death or a coroner’s inquest.

PROCEDURES AND REQUIREMENTS

INSTITUTIONAL DEATH REGISTRATION (DEATHS OCCURRING AT HEALTH INSTITUTIONS AFTER 24HOURS OF ADMISSION)
1. Relative of deceased must go to BDR Office in the District where the death occurred
2. Present original copy of medical cause of death certificate to the Registrar
3. Provide details for the capturing of death into the deaths register. Details such as:
- Name, age, nationality and occupation of deceased
- Place and address of deceased
- Name of informant and relationship to deceased
- Others details such as the following would be added from the medical cause of death certificate
- Place of death
- Date of death
- Cause of death
- Full name and qualification of medical practitioner certifying cause of death
Apply
DEATH OUTSIDE HEALTH FACILITIES OR BEFORE 24HOURS IN A HEALTH FACILITY
1. 1. Relative of deceased must report death at the nearest police station
  2. Police would proceed to investigate and issue an inquest to the nearest court of justice
  3. The court of justice would issue a coroner’s report
  4. Relative must present original coroner’s report to the nearest BDR Office in the District where the death occurred
  5. Provide details for the capturing of death into the deaths register. Details such as:
  - Name, age, nationality and occupation of deceased
  - Place and address of deceased
  - Name of informant and relationship to deceased
  - Others details such as the following would be added from the coroner’s report
  - Place of death
  - Date of death
  - Cause of death (if directed by the coroner to be conducted)
  - Full name and qualification of medical practitioner certifying cause of death (given availability of cause of death)
  - Full name coroner and name of court
Apply
Late Deaths Registration (Deaths registered after burial or after 12 months of occurrence)
1. Relative of deceased must go to BDR Office in the District where the death occurred
2. Present attestations to the Registrar. Such attestations include:
  - Exclusive attestation by head of family and his supporting national ID
  - Exclusive attestation by the next-of-kin and his supporting national ID
  - Joint attestation by two members of the deceased’s family (preferably, one from the paternal family and the other from the maternal family
3. Present evidence of death (i.e. receipts from morgue, obituary, picture from tombstone, programme for funeral event, etc.)
4. Provide details for the capturing of death into the deaths register. Details such as:
  - Name, age, nationality and occupation of deceased
  - Place and address of deceased
  - Name of informant and relationship to deceased
  - Place of death
  - Date of death
5. Registrar would proceed to investigate and subsequently upon verification and validation, secure authority from the National Office for completion of the registration.
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