A short guide on Bereavement | Completing the forms | When someone dies in TRNC
Firstly, take your time and read the form carefully to avoid making mistakes. I understand this is a distressing time so please ask for help if you feel unsure about completing the forms yourself. I suggest you use a black pen when completing the forms.
Secondly, you will find it helpful to have a copy of your passport and the deceased persons passport when completing any paperwork.
Thirdly, when you have completed the forms, if you need help please take a look at my Funeral services in North Cyprus page for contacts and people who can help you plan a funeral or repatriation.
Bereavement can be a daunting time, the following guide explains the standard procedures in the TRNC. These procedures vary slightly depending on where the person passed away and this is covered within the guide.
You may want to manage the bereavement of a person yourself, however, if you want help there are organisations e.g. the British Cemetery Committee, who offer services to assist people dealing with Bereavement. Because this is such an emotional time and you may wish to contact them rather than undertake everything yourself.
Form XV.
Form XV – check this document has the deceased’s name exactly as it appears on their passport. You will collect this XV form from the doctor who certified the death, and it must be signed and stamped by the doctor.
Form XIII
The XIII form you will need to complete. The numbered questions are further down this page and will help you with the Turkish – English translation. The remainder of the form needs to be completed and signed by a close relative of the deceased, or their legal representative. (I do not believe friends are able to legally sign this form)
The steps you will need to follow when collecting and completing the forms:
- The doctor certifying the death will prepare and sign a Medical Death Certificate (Form XV). There will be 3 copies.
- You will also be given 3 copies of the Record of Deaths (Form XIII) part completed. It will have the appropriate sections signed and stamped. The 3 copies of the form are in different colours.
- The remainder of the form XIII must be completed by the relative or legal representative dealing with the death. (English translations below will assist you in completion of the form).
- The relative (or legal representative) who is reporting the death completes the forms
- The completed forms must then be taken to the Mukhtar in the village/town where the person passed away and they will sign and stamp the forms.
- When the forms are completed and stamped they need be taken to the District Office (Kaymakamlık) in the region where the death occurred in order to obtain the death certificate.
- Please don’t worry because it is not necessary to complete form XIII and register the death at the District Office before the funeral. Provided you have the completed and stamped form XV you can make funeral arrangements.
- One copy of Form XV should be retained by the person who informed the death.
- One copy is required by the person who is arranging the funeral (e.g.Cemetery Committee Representative or the local Belediye)
Next, you need to obtain the Death Certificate.
This should be done by a close relative or legal representative. However it does not need to be obtained in order to have the funeral. You do however need to do it as quickly as possible.
In order to issue the Death Certificate the District Office requires the following:
- 2 copies of Form XV
- 2 copies of Form XIII
- 2 photocopies of the deceased person’s passport photopage
- 1 copy of the informant’s passport photopage,
- It is essential to bring the deceased person’s original passport and the informant’s original passport.
What happens when you go to get the death certificate
When you go to the appropriate District Office (Kaymakamlık) ask for the office that deals with issuing death certificates. Then present the paperwork as listed above.
Once the death has been registered the Registrar will issue the Official Death Certificate (Form XVI). Please request the document is in English and Turkish.
It is legally recognised by the administrations of most foreign countries.
Up to 5 copies of the Official Death Certificate are provided free of charge.
Additional copies will be an extra charge however it is advisable to get more copies than you think you will need. This may save you time and stress at a later date because you will need them when applying for probate and other administrative tasks like banking etc.
The English translation of the XIII form
Where did the death occur
1. This is the region where the death occurred – Girne, Lefkoşa, Iskele, Lefke, Güzelyürt, Gasimağusa
2. The name of town or village e.g. Karakum, Lapta, Zeytinlik, Esentepe, Catalkoy.
3. The date the death occurred (as recorded on the paperwork)
Information about the person who died
4. The full name of the deceased, as it appears in their passport.
5. Where it says ID card – write the passport number
6. Father’s full name
7. Fathers ID card number if Cypriot. ( Not required for foreigners)
8. Mother’s name
9. Mother’s ID card number if Cypriot. (Not required for foreigners)
10. Date of death
11. The place of death. Hospital – clinic- home, address.
12. The deceased home address in the TRNC (If resident then their registered address)
13. Sex. male / female
14. Date of birth as it appears on their passport
15. Place of birth as listed on their passport
16. Nationality. (You do not need to complete religion)
17. Education ( You do not need to complete this)
18. Marital Status. Single. Married. Divorced. Widow etc
19. Occupation. Write retired if they were not working
20. Cause of death as written on Form XV
The section between questions 20 – 21 must have been completed by the doctor when you collect the forms.
21. Name of the person who is authorising the burial or repatriation – This must be either a direct relative or the family’s legal representative. At the present time (June 2024) I do not believe a friend can be responsible for completing the forms unless they have legal authorisation.
22. Full name of the informant – (This is the person who is registering the death as in question 21).
23. ID / Passport number of the person who is registering the death (All information must be as it appears on their passport)
24. Address of person registering the death
25. Your relationship to the deceased – relative / legal representative
26. Signature of the person registering the death – and the date
In conclusion. Take your time and be methodical. It is also helpful to have someone drive you where possible. I also think it is comforting to have a person who speaks Turkish accompany you to the various different offices.
If you need help completing the forms then you can contact me on https://www.uksoc.com/civil-celebrant-directory/rosie-anstey-wedding-and-funeral-celebrant/
