PSA Death Certificate: How to Get One
A PSA Death Certificate is the official, security-paper record of a person's death. It is required for survivorship benefits (SSS, GSIS, PhilHealth), insurance claims, estate settlement, and cancelling the deceased's legal documents. For use abroad, you will usually need a DFA Apostille on top of the PSA copy.
What is a PSA Death Certificate?
- Official certified true copy of death registration
- Printed on security paper (SECPA) with watermarks
- Authenticated by the PSA (Philippine Statistics Authority)
- Contains deceased's information, date, place, and cause of death
- Required for legal, financial, and administrative purposes
- Must be obtained from PSA for official transactions
Who Can Request?
- Immediate family members: Spouse, children, parents, siblings
- Authorized representatives: With authorization letter from immediate family
- Legal representatives: Lawyers, executors with proper documentation
- Government agencies: For official purposes
Requirements
For Immediate Family Members:
- Valid Government-issued ID (with photo and signature)
- Proof of relationship (if relationship is not stated in ID)
- Marriage certificate (for spouse)
- Birth certificate (for children/parents)
- Payment Fee: ₱155 per copy
- Required Information:
- Full name of the deceased
- Date of death
- Place of death (city/municipality)
For Authorized Representatives:
- Authorization letter from immediate family member
- Valid ID of the family member (photocopy)
- Valid ID of the representative (original)
- Proof of relationship (if applicable)
- Payment fee: ₱155 per copy
Step-by-Step Application Process
Option 1: Walk-in at PSA Serbilis Outlets
Find PSA Serbilis outlet
- •Locate nearest branch from PSA website
- •Available in malls and government centers
Prepare requirements
- •Valid ID
- •Proof of relationship to deceased
- •Complete death information
- •Cash for payment (₱155 per copy)
Fill out application form
- •Deceased's full name
- •Date and place of death
- •Requester's relationship to deceased
- •Number of copies needed
Pay the fee
- •₱155 per copy
- •Get official receipt and claim stub
Claim certificate
- •Processing: 30 minutes to 3 working days
- •Bring claim stub and valid ID
Option 2: Online via PSASerbilis.com.ph (PSA-managed)
Visit PSASerbilis.com.ph
- •PSA's directly-managed online portal (with Unisys)
- •Create an account or log in
Order Death Certificate
- •Select 'Death Certificate'
- •Deceased's full name; exact date and place of death
- •Your relationship to the deceased
- •Indicate number of copies
Pay online
- •Credit/Debit Card via PesoPay
- •Fee: ₱300 per copy delivered (inclusive of taxes and delivery)
- •Or ₱130 per copy for 'Viewable Online Only'
Wait for delivery
- •Domestic delivery within a few business days
- •Worldwide delivery available
- •Track through the portal
Option 3: Online via PSAHelpline.ph (authorized partner)
Visit PSAHelpline.ph
- •PSA's exclusive third-party online channel (partner since 2000)
- •Confirm pricing at checkout — partner rates may differ from PSASerbilis
Place the order
- •Select 'Death Certificate'
- •Provide complete death details and your relationship
- •Choose courier delivery to your Philippine or overseas address
Pay online
- •Credit/Debit Card, GCash, PayMaya, bank deposit
- •Confirm the all-in price (certificate + courier) at checkout
Wait for delivery
- •Processing: typically a few business days
- •Delivery: domestic and worldwide
- •Track online with reference number
Processing Time & Fees
| Method | Processing Time | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| PSA Serbilis (walk-in pick-up) | 30 minutes – 3 working days | ₱155 per copy |
| Online — delivered (PSASerbilis or PSAHelpline) | A few business days domestic; longer abroad | ₱300 per copy delivered (PSASerbilis posted rate) |
| Online — viewable only (PSASerbilis) | Same-day after payment | ₱130 per copy (digital view only, no SECPA paper) |
Important Notes
- Wait period: Allow 1-3 months after death registration before requesting from PSA
- Only family can request: Proof of relationship required for non-obvious relationships
- Multiple copies: Get several copies as many agencies require original PSA copies
- Valid ID required: Must present original government-issued ID
- Authorization letter: Must be notarized if representative is not immediate family
- For deaths abroad: Must be reported to the Philippine Embassy/Consulate via a Report of Death, then transmitted to PSA before a PSA Death Certificate can be issued.
- For use abroad: Get a DFA Apostille on top of the PSA copy before submitting it to a foreign agency or institution.
- Keep safe: Store in a secure place as you'll need for various transactions
Common Uses
For Benefits Claims
- SSS/GSIS death benefits
- Life insurance claims
- PhilHealth death benefit
- Company benefits
For Estate Settlement
- Transfer of property
- Bank account closure
- Estate tax filing
- Inheritance distribution
For Legal Matters
- Cancellation of contracts
- Legal proceedings
- Power of attorney termination
- Marriage certificate annotation
For Documentation
- Passport cancellation
- Driver's license
- Credit card accounts
- Utility connections
Complete Example: Claiming SSS Death Benefits
Scenario: Liza's father passed away. The wake is over and the local civil registrar has already registered the death. She needs PSA Death Certificates for SSS, the bank, and the lawyer handling estate settlement.
- Waited about 2 months after burial so the LCRO record could be transmitted to PSA.
- Brought her PhilSys National ID and her father's Marriage Certificate (showing the parent-child link through her mother) to a PSA Serbilis outlet.
- Filled out the request form with her father's full name, exact date and place of death, and her relationship (daughter). Ordered 5 copies.
- Paid ₱775 (₱155 × 5 copies) at the cashier and received an official receipt and claim stub.
- Picked up the SECPA copies later that week — used 2 for SSS, 1 for the bank, 1 for the lawyer, and kept 1 spare.
Total cost (PSA portion): ₱775 · Total time at PSA: half a day. Wait time before PSA records appeared: ~2 months from registration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can request a death certificate?
Only immediate family members (spouse, children, parents, siblings) or their authorized representatives can request. Proof of relationship may be required.
How many copies should I get?
Get at least 5-10 copies. You'll need them for SSS/GSIS, insurance, banks, estate settlement, BIR, and other legal matters. Most agencies require original PSA copies.
What if the death occurred abroad?
Report the death to the Philippine Embassy or Consulate in that country via a Report of Death. The post forwards the report to PSA for registration in the national civil registry. Only after PSA receives and processes the Report of Death can a PSA Death Certificate be issued.
Can a friend or non-relative get the certificate?
Yes, but they need a notarized authorization letter from an immediate family member, plus ID of both the family member and the representative.
Sources
- PSA — Official online channels: psaserbilis.com.ph (PSA-managed) and psahelpline.ph (PSA-authorized exclusive partner).
- PSA — psa.gov.ph — civil registration documents and SECPA security paper.
- Act No. 3753 — Civil Registry Law (statutory basis for registering deaths in the Philippines).
Disclaimer
This guide is provided for general informational purposes only. The requirements, steps, fees, and procedures mentioned here may vary depending on the PSA office you visit. We recommend visiting your nearest PSA office first to confirm the specific requirements and process before preparing your documents.