Death certificate in Malawi
How a death is registered with the National Registration Bureau, at a hospital or in the village, who can apply, and what it costs if you register late or need a replacement.
- Free within 6 weeks
- Late: K5,000
- Replacement: K5,000
Quick answer: Registering a death with the National Registration Bureau is free within six weeks. In a hospital, staff help you fill the NR10 form and the clinician records the cause of death; the certificate is printed there or at the District Registration Office within 30 days. For a death at home, the Village Head handles the NR10C form. After six weeks the fee is K5,000, and a replacement certificate also costs K5,000.
Pick your case
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Who can apply, and what you need
From NRB’s death registration page.
Have these ready
- The informant: the mother, father, a relative, or anyone who was present at the death.
- The informant’s National ID number, signature or thumbprint, and phone number.
- The ID number of the person who died: on the National ID card if they were 16 or older, or on the birth certificate if younger. (See our birth certificate and National ID guides.)
Only the informant can collect the death certificate.
Death in a hospital or clinic
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Fill section 1 of the NR10
The informant fills section 1 of the Death Report (NR10). If you cannot write, the health staff fill it with you and take your signature or thumbprint.
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Keep the Acknowledgement Slip
Staff complete the Acknowledgement Slip and give it to you. You need it to put the body in the mortuary, to transport it for burial and to collect the certificate.
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The clinician records the cause of death
A doctor, clinical officer or medical assistant completes the medical certification and cause of death.
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Collect the certificate
Facilities with a certificate printer print it there. Otherwise the District Registration Office processes it within 30 days.
Death at home or in the village
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Fill the NR10C with the Village Head
The informant fills the NR10C form and the Village Head checks the details and gives you the Acknowledgement Slip.
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Burial Report
For a burial in a cemetery under the Village Head’s charge, the Village Head also issues a Burial Report (NR11).
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Certificate after 30 days
The details are entered and the certificate printed at the District Registration Office or a post office; the Village Head hands it to the informant after 30 days.
Registering a death late
More than six weeks after the death (or years later), register at a District Registration Office or post office.
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Fill the NR10C and get it signed
Late and delayed registrations always use the NR10C, signed by the Village Head of the village where the burial took place. Attach the Burial Report.
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Pay and collect on the spot
Pay the late registration fee at the Treasury Cashier Office: K5,000 in the July 2026 gazette (NRB’s death page still shows MK2,000). The certificate is issued immediately.
Death registration fees in 2026
From Government Notice 66, Malawi Gazette Supplement 19A, 31 July 2026 (NRB).
- ServiceFee
- Registration within six weeksMalawiansFree
- Late registration (after six weeks)K5,000
- Registration on demandK5,000
- Replacement certificateK5,000
- Foreign nationals: registrationUS$40
- Foreign nationals: replacementUS$10
Contact NRB
Ask NRB where the nearest registration point is, or about a death registered long ago.
- Call centre
- 0111 700 700, or 488 (TNM)
- 0987 074 071 / 0987 074 073
- [email protected]
Death certificate FAQ
How much is a death certificate in Malawi?
Free if the death is registered within six weeks. Late registration and replacements cost K5,000 (July 2026 gazette).
Who can register a death?
The mother, father, a relative or anyone present at the death, with their National ID number and phone number.
How long does it take?
At a hospital with a printer, the same day; otherwise within 30 days. Late registrations are issued immediately at the DRO or post office.
What if the person who died had no National ID?
Under 16, use the ID number on their birth certificate. NRB says the deceased’s ID number is mandatory.
Can someone else collect the certificate for me?
No. NRB says only the informant can collect it.
Related guides
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GuideDeath abroadBringing a loved one home
GuideMoving back homeDuty-free goods and your car
GuideApostilleCertificates for use abroad
GuideBirth certificateFree in 6 weeks, replace for K5,000
GuideMarriage certificate21-day notice, K50,000
GuideMalawi visaOn arrival or e-Visa, from US$50
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GuidePolice clearanceMK5,000, fingerprints, police reports
GuidePolice numbers997 and every station’s phone
GuideConsumer rightsRefunds, faulty goods, CFTC 2489
GuideMANEB resultsCheck MSCE online, lost certificate
GuideOpen a bank accountBring your National IDSources: death registration page on nrb.gov.mw; NRB statement on revised fees with Government Notice 66 (Malawi Gazette Supplement 19A, 31 July 2026). Checked October 2026.
