The death certificate is the key to everything that follows: whoever provided treatment issues it; for natural deaths at home, contact the local community health service center. It must be issued within one day.

2. The death certificate is the key to everything that follows: whoever provided treatment issues it; for natural deaths at home, contact the local community health service center. It must be issued within one day.

Cost: No cost at all.

In plain terms: If the death occurs in a hospital, the hospital that treated the patient issues the certificate. For natural deaths at home, the community health service center or township health clinic serving that area issues it. When the cause of death is clear, the certificate is issued within 24 hours. It is required for deregistration, cremation, withdrawal from a housing provident fund, receipt of social insurance benefits, insurance claims, and estate settlement — so be sure to make several copies right away.

Benefit: According to the “Interim Regulations on Registration and Management of Population Death Information,” death certificates for patients who die in medical institutions are issued by those institutions; for deaths occurring at home or elsewhere, they are issued by the local community health service center or township health clinic. Cases deemed non‑natural by police or judicial authorities are handled under separate procedures. In 2026, five government agencies confirmed that electronic death certificates carry the same legal weight as paper versions; both are equally valid. Certificates for natural deaths with known causes must be issued within one day. If lost, a single replacement can be requested from the original issuer. Errors in basic information may be corrected by submitting supporting documents.

Evidence grade: A

Sources: General Office of the National Health and Family Planning Commission (2014). Standards for Registration and Management of Population and Death Information (Trial) (National Health Office Planning Issue [2014] No. 68, Article 9). <https://mzj.sz.gov.cn/szmz/pc/zwgk/jcxxgk/zcfg/byfw/content/post_2952215.html> (Forwarded by Shenzhen Civil Affairs Bureau); National Health Commission of China (NHC), Ministry of Public Security of China, Ministry of Civil Affairs of China, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, State Administration of Disease Control and Prevention (2026). Notice on strengthening the registration of resident death medical certificate information and electronic license management (National Health Planning Commission [2026] No. 5). <https://wjw.fujian.gov.cn/xxgk/fgwj/gjwj/202602/t20260228_7102810.htm> (Forwarded by Fujian Provincial Health Commission)

Notes: This certificate is indispensable for deregistration, cremation, housing provident fund withdrawals, social insurance benefits, insurance claims, and estate settlement — so make plenty of copies right away. If electronic issuance is available, request it as well. Only one replacement is permitted, so keep the original safe. Any mistakes in name or ID number should be corrected on the spot; otherwise you’ll have to repeat the process at every office later on.