Death Abroad
When an American dies abroad, American Citizen Services can assist with notification of the next of kin about options and costs for disposition of remains. Costs for preparing and returning a body to the U.S. are high and are the responsibility of the family. Additionally a "Consular Report of Death of an American Citizen Abroad" can be issued which facilitates settlement of estate matters in the U.S. This document reflects the facts of a death abroad and is based upon the local death certificate. Please contact ACS for additional information regarding the application procedure for a Consular Report of Death.
Singaporean Death Certificate
Death certificates in Singapore are issued by the Registry of Births & Deaths, 10 Kallang Road, 208718, tel: 6391-6343. The certificates are prepared in accordance with the laws of Singapore. Although authenticated copies of the foreign death certificate can be obtained, the documents are sometimes unacceptable in the United States for insurance and estate purposes. In the United States, a "Report of Death of an American Citizen Abroad" issued by a U.S. consular officer is generally used in lieu of a foreign death certificate as proof of death.
Report of Death of a U.S. Citizen Abroad
The consular "Report of Death of an American Citizen Abroad" is a report that provides the essential facts concerning the death of a U.S. citizen, disposition of remains, and custody of the personal effects of a deceased citizen. This form is generally used in legal proceedings in the United States in lieu of the foreign death certificate. The Report of Death is based on the foreign death certificate, and cannot be completed until the foreign death certificate has been issued.
Copies of the Report of Death
The U.S. consular officer will send the family up to 6 certified copies of the Report of Death at the time the initial report is issued. Additional copies can be obtained subsequently by contacting the Department of State,
Vital Records Section, Passport Services, 1111 19th Street, N.W., Suite 510, Washington, D.C. 20522-1705, tel (202) 955-0307. Submit a signed, written request including all pertinent facts along with requester's return address and telephone number. There is a $30.00 fee for the first copy and a $20.00 fee for each additional copy, payable to the Department of State. Additional information about obtaining copies of Reports of Death is available on the Department of State website.
Legal Authority
U.S. insurance companies and other agencies sometimes inquire regarding the authority for issuance of Reports of Death. See 22 U.S. Code 4196; 22 Code of Federal Regulations 72.1.
Additional Information
For additional information concerning Reports of Death, contact the appropriate geographic division of the Office of American Citizens Services and Crisis Management, Department of State, 2201 C Street N.W., Room 4817 N.S., Washington, D.C. 20520, tel: (202) 647-5225 or (202) 647-5226.