Death certificates in Cameroon: registration, deadlines, transfer and repatriation of remains
A death certificate is essential to settle an estate, claim a survivor's pension, close an account or remarry. In Cameroon, a death must be registered within 90 days, attested by two witnesses, with the registrar for the place of death, birth, residence or burial of the deceased. Law No. 2024/016 of 23 December 2024 clarified the duties of hospitals and prisons, of police officers when a body is found, and of Cameroonians abroad. For the diaspora, the most frequent question is how to repatriate the body, which goes through the Cameroonian embassy or consulate. This page covers registration, what the certificate contains, moving the body and repatriation; inheritance will be covered on a separate page.
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At a glance
- General deadline
- 90 days (Law No. 2024/016, s. 21)
- Death in hospital or prison
- The institution declares within 30 days, then 60 days for the family
- Witnesses
- Two adults with full legal capacity
- Where to register
- Place of death, birth, residence or burial
- Repatriation (Germany example)
- Embassy authorisation: €153, apply at least 7 days ahead
Who registers the death, and when?
| Situation | Who declares | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Death at home or “in the community” | Parents, spouse, children, heirs, traditional chief or anyone with certain knowledge of it | 90 days |
| Death in a hospital or prison | Head of the institution, doctor or anyone working there | 30 days; failing that, 60 more days for the family |
| Body found (identified or not) | Criminal investigation officer, after a report; failing that, the heirs | 30 days; 60 days for the heirs |
| Military personnel killed in action | Military authority or heirs | 90 days |
| Death of a relative abroad, with no Cameroonian consulate | The Cameroonian resident in that country | 12 months after returning to Cameroon |
Every death registration must be attested by two witnesses (section 21); they must be adults with full capacity who witnessed the facts or hold proof of them (section 31). If the person declaring has no identity document, the registration is made on the testimony of the traditional chief, noted in the margin of the certificate. The death of someone judicially declared missing, in Cameroon or abroad, is registered at the request of the prosecutor or any interested person (section 26). When a child dies before their birth has been registered, the birth must be registered first, then the death (section 24).
What the death certificate contains
- The registry (main, secondary or specialised) and its code
- The deceased's names, date and place of birth, nationality, sex, marital status, occupation and residence, and NIPU if any
- Names of the deceased's parents
- Date and place of death
- Identity, occupation, capacity and address of the declarant; identity of the witnesses
- Dates of declaration, registration and signature; signatures of the registrar and the registry clerk
For a foreign national, the certificate states whether they were a resident, visitor, in transit, passing through or a refugee (section 52). Since the 2011 law, a registrar who draws up a death certificate must notify BUNEC and the registry holding the deceased's birth certificate, so the death is noted in its margin. A death certificate drawn up in error for a living person is annulled by the court at the request of that person, their heirs or the public prosecutor (section 55).
Burial and moving the body within Cameroon
Funerals often take place in the home village, far from where the death occurred, so the body has to be moved. According to a Camer.be article (May 2020), body transfer authorisations are issued by regional governors and prefects, on presentation of the certificate stating the cause of death (certificat de genre de mort), “under the regulations in force”. A prefect can restrict such transfers: during the Covid-19 epidemic, the prefect of Menoua banned any body from entering his department from 30 April 2020. The national regulation governing burial permits and transfer authorisations was not found online.
For foreign families, the UK government (FCDO, page updated September 2026) says a death is registered with the hospital where it occurred, once police formalities are complete, and advises asking for several certified copies of the certificate. It gives rough costs: £150 to £250 for a coffin in Cameroon, £400 to £500 for embalming, and about £2,000 for repatriation to the UK.
Death abroad: registration and repatriation of the body
Every Cameroonian living abroad must report the death of their parents, children or dependants occurring in that country to the embassy or consulate. A certificate drawn up by the local authorities is valid if it follows local forms. Where there is no Cameroonian mission, the death is registered in Cameroon within 12 months of returning; without supporting documents, a declaratory judgment of death is required (section 27). To repatriate the body, the family must obtain from the embassy a consular death certificate and a mortuary laissez-passer, or a repatriation authorisation depending on the country.
| Embassy | Documents required | Cost and timing |
|---|---|---|
| Germany (Berlin): repatriation authorisation | Letter to the ambassador; deceased's passport or other ID (birth certificate, ID card, certificate of nationality); residence permit; death certificate; flight ticket if available; details of the undertaker and of the authorised person | €153 paid online at evisacam.cm; apply at least 7 days before departure, answer in about 7 days; issued the same day if the applicant attends in person |
| Japan (Tokyo): consular death certificate | Request to the ambassador; deceased's passport if available; birth certificate; local death certificate translated into French or English; a mortuary laissez-passer as well for repatriation | Death certificate free; timing not stated |
The Cameroonian embassy in Germany stresses that only the official evisacam.cm platform should be used and warns against fraudulent sites; fees paid are not refunded. Conditions and fees vary between countries: the page on procedures from abroad lists Cameroon's missions.
After the death certificate
The original death certificate is free; copies and extracts are subject to stamp duty (2024 law, section 5). As the UK government advises, it is best to request several certified copies from the outset: banks, employers, pension funds and notaries will each ask for one. Inheritance, division of property and survivor's pensions involve other procedures, to be covered on separate pages.
Frequently asked questions
What is the deadline to register a death in Cameroon?
90 days (Law No. 2024/016, section 21). If the death occurs in hospital or prison, the institution must register it within 30 days; failing that, the family has a further 60 days.
Who can register a death?
The deceased's parents, spouse or children, or anyone with a legitimate interest or certain knowledge of the death, with two witnesses. If the declarant has no ID, the traditional chief testifies.
Where do I register a death?
With the registrar for the place of death, or the deceased's place of birth, residence or burial, as you choose (section 21).
How do I repatriate a body to Cameroon?
Contact the Cameroonian embassy or consulate in the country of death for a consular death certificate and a mortuary laissez-passer or repatriation authorisation, with the local death certificate and the deceased's ID.
How much does a repatriation authorisation cost?
It depends on the embassy: €153 in Germany (paid on evisacam.cm); the embassy in Japan issues the consular death certificate free of charge. Air freight and undertaker fees come on top.
Is permission needed to move a body between regions?
Yes: according to press reports, the body transfer authorisation is issued by the prefect or governor, on presentation of the certificate stating the cause of death.
Handle with care
The regulation governing burial permits and body transfer authorisations in Cameroon was not found online: what is said here relies on press reports (2020). Repatriation conditions are published only by some embassies (Germany, Japan); others, such as the High Commission in London, refer people to their services without listing the documents. The costs quoted by the UK government relate to repatriation to the United Kingdom.