The legalization of death certificates is a formal legal process required to ensure the official recognition of a deceased person’s status by Jordanian authorities. This procedure is relevant for individuals and families managing inheritance matters, civil status updates, repatriation procedures, pension claims, or other legal obligations connected to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

This guidance outlines the legal requirements, procedural steps, and embassy role in the legalization of foreign-issued death certificates for official use in Jordan.

Legal and Regulatory Framework

The legalization of death certificates for use in Jordan is governed by:

• Jordanian civil status and personal status regulations
  
  

• Consular regulations issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
  
  

• International diplomatic practice concerning the authentication of public documents
  
  

• Applicable bilateral agreements, where relevant
  
  

Jordan is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention. As a result, death certificates intended for use in Jordan must undergo full consular legalization rather than apostille certification.

Role of the Jordanian Embassy

The Jordanian Embassy acts as an official diplomatic authority responsible for:

• Verifying the authenticity of signatures and seals on foreign-issued death certificates
  
  

• Confirming that the document has been properly authenticated by competent authorities in the country of issuance
  
  

• Legalizing the document for acceptance by Jordanian governmental and judicial bodies
  
  

The embassy does not issue or amend death certificates, nor does it determine the legal content of the document.

Legalization Procedure for Death Certificates:

Step-by-Step Process

1. Issuance by Competent Authority
   The death certificate must be issued by an officially recognized civil registry or health authority in the country of death.
   
   

2. Local Authentication
   The document must be authenticated by the relevant national authority, typically the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or equivalent body in the issuing country.
   
   

3. Jordanian Embassy Legalization
   Once authenticated locally, the death certificate is submitted to the Jordanian Embassy for consular legalization.
   
   

4. Use in Jordan
   After legalization, the document may be presented to Jordanian authorities for civil, legal, or administrative purposes.
   
   

Types of Death Certificates Accepted

Jordanian authorities generally accept:

• Official civil registry death certificates
  
  

• Medical death certificates converted into civil certificates where required
  
  

• Extracts or certified copies, provided they bear original seals and signatures
  
  

Hospital-issued notices or informal documents are not accepted unless officially registered and authenticated.

Authentication vs. Legalization

Authentication

• Confirms the legitimacy of a document within the country of issuance
  
  

• Conducted by national authorities before embassy submission
  
  

Legalization

• Confirms acceptance of the document for use in another jurisdiction
  
  

• Performed by the Jordanian Embassy for use within Jordan
  
  

Both steps are mandatory for death certificates intended for Jordanian authorities.

International Recognition and Use in Jordan

A death certificate legalized by the Jordanian Embassy is recognized by:

• Civil Status and Passports Department
  
  

• Sharia courts and civil courts
  
  

• Pension, inheritance, and estate administration bodies
  
  

• Other competent Jordanian institutions
  
  

Final acceptance remains subject to review by the receiving authority in Jordan.

Practical Guidance

Processing Time

• Varies depending on document completeness and prior authentication
  
  

• Embassy processing timelines may differ by jurisdiction
  
  

Fees

• Consular legalization fees apply in accordance with official embassy schedules
  
  

• Fees are subject to change based on regulations issued by Jordanian authorities
  
  

Submission Criteria

• Original document or duly certified copy
  
  

• Prior authentication by local authorities
  
  

• Clear, legible text and intact seals
  
  

Compliance and Documentation Notes

• Documents in languages other than Arabic may require a certified Arabic translation
  
  

• Names, dates, and civil data must match official records
  
  

• Altered, laminated, or damaged documents are not accepted
  
  

• Some authorities in Jordan may impose validity periods for legal use
  
  

Conclusion

The legalization of death certificates is a legally mandated process to ensure their official recognition by Jordanian authorities. Through consular legalization, the Jordanian Embassy verifies the authenticity of foreign-issued documents, facilitating their lawful use within the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in accordance with applicable regulations and international diplomatic standards.