Good to know · Legal
When someone dies in Spain: the first official steps
Official pages describe a short chain after a death in Spain: a doctor’s certificate goes to the Registro Civil where the death is registered, certificates can then be asked for (death, last wills, death-cover insurance), a U.S. citizen’s death is reported to the U.S. embassy or consulate, and inheritance tax has a filing deadline set by law.
- Why it matters
- The Ministry of Justice, the Tax Agency and the U.S. State Department each publish part of this. Knowing which office does what, and which certificates can only be asked for after 15 working days, helps a family read the official instructions. This card describes the process and does not give advice on any estate.
- When
- Someone you know has died in Spain, or you want to know in advance how the official process works.
- How long it takes
- Last wills and death-cover insurance certificates: not before 15 working days after the death. Inheritance tax: six months from the day of death, with one extension of the same length requested within five months.
- Official page
- Registro Civil (estado civil)
- Last checked
- 26 Oct 2026
In the guide: the 6 steps, what to bring (4 items), the 3 offices with addresses and hours, and 4 Easy to miss lines, with every official source.
One Easy to miss, on us
The Sede Electrónica says the last wills certificate request "no podrá presentarse hasta transcurridos 15 días hábiles desde la fecha del fallecimiento"; the same rule is on the death-cover insurance certificate page.