Death Abroad: When a US Citizen Dies Outside the United States
When a US citizen dies in another country, the documentation process is more complex than a domestic death — it involves both the foreign government and the US State Department. This guide explains what documents are created, what they're called, and how to use them for estate administration, insurance claims, and survivor benefits.
Immediate step: Contact the nearest US Embassy or Consulate in the country where the death occurred as soon as possible. They are your primary resource and will coordinate the documentation process. US Embassy emergency line: available 24/7 on the Embassy's website for the relevant country.
The Two Death Documents Created
When a US citizen dies abroad, two separate death documents are typically created:
1. The Foreign Death Certificate
The country where the death occurred issues its own official death certificate under that country's laws. This document is in the local language, follows the local format, and is issued by the local civil registry or relevant authority. The foreign death certificate is the primary document used within that country for local legal purposes.
For use in the United States, the foreign death certificate typically needs:
- A certified English translation by a qualified translator
- Apostille authentication (for countries that participate in the Hague Apostille Convention) or authentication through the US Embassy (for non-Hague countries)
2. The Consular Report of Death of a US Citizen Abroad (CRODA)
The US Embassy or Consulate issues a Consular Report of Death Abroad (CRODA) — officially Form DS-2060. This is the primary US government document recording the death. It serves many of the same functions as a domestic death certificate for US purposes. The CRODA is issued in English and does not require translation.
The Consular Section of the Embassy issues the CRODA based on information provided by the family and the local foreign death certificate. Copies are sent to the next of kin and to the National Center for Health Statistics in the US.
What the CRODA Contains
The DS-2060 Consular Report of Death includes: full legal name of the deceased, date and place of birth, date and place of death, cause of death (as reported by local authorities), citizenship information, and next of kin information. It bears the official seal of the US Embassy and the signature of the consular officer.
Getting Copies of the CRODA
The Embassy typically provides several original certified copies of the CRODA to the next of kin at the time of issuance. For additional copies, contact:
US Department of State — Overseas Citizens Services
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Phone: 1-888-407-4747 (from US) or +1-202-501-4444 (international)
Email: AskCI@state.gov
Copies can also be requested through the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), which receives reports of deaths abroad involving US citizens. However, the State Department is the primary source.
Which Document to Use for What
| Purpose | Use CRODA? | Use Foreign Death Cert? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| US life insurance claim | ✓ Preferred | ✓ Also accepted | Most US insurers accept either; CRODA avoids translation costs |
| Social Security survivor benefits | ✓ Yes | May be required too | SSA may request both for foreign deaths |
| US bank and financial accounts | ✓ Usually sufficient | May also help | US banks generally accept the CRODA as equivalent to a death cert |
| US probate court | ✓ Yes | May also be required | Some probate courts want both; check the specific state |
| VA survivor benefits | ✓ Yes | May be required | VA may want authenticated foreign cert + CRODA |
| Foreign government processes (inheritance abroad) | Usually not accepted | ✓ Required | Foreign courts and agencies typically require their own country's document |
| Property transfer in foreign country | Usually not accepted | ✓ Required + apostille | Foreign property requires foreign legal process |
Repatriation of Remains
Transporting human remains internationally requires extensive documentation and coordination. The US Embassy assists with this process. Key requirements:
- Transit permit from the country of death — required to transport remains out of the country
- Embalming certificate — most countries require remains to be embalmed before international transport
- Mortuary certificate — from the local mortuary handling preparation of remains
- Airline requirements — each airline has specific packaging and documentation requirements for human remains
- US Customs and Border Protection — a death certificate (CRODA or foreign cert) is required at US customs entry
Many families hire a funeral home with international repatriation experience. International repatriation typically costs $5,000–$20,000 depending on distance and local requirements.
If the Body Is Not Being Repatriated
If burial or cremation will occur in the country where the death happened, the US Embassy can still issue the CRODA and assist the family remotely. US families can manage US-side estate administration using the CRODA and authenticated foreign death certificate without the remains being returned to the US.
Estate Administration for Assets in Both Countries
If the deceased had assets in both the US and the foreign country, estate administration must be conducted in both jurisdictions separately. US assets (bank accounts, property, investments) are settled through US probate processes using the CRODA and foreign death certificate. Foreign assets are settled under that country's legal system using the foreign death certificate.
An estate attorney experienced in international estates is strongly recommended when assets exist in multiple countries. Rules vary significantly — some countries have bilateral estate treaties with the US; others do not.
Travel Insurance and Foreign Death
If the deceased had travel insurance that includes emergency assistance coverage, the insurer may assist with coordinating local authorities, repatriation of remains, and documentation. Contact the insurer immediately — many travel insurance policies have strict reporting windows for death claims.
Frequently Asked Questions
For most US purposes, yes. The CRODA (DS-2060) is accepted by Social Security, most US life insurers, US banks, US probate courts, and the VA as equivalent to a domestic death certificate. It is an official US government document bearing the Embassy seal. Some agencies may also request the foreign death certificate with certified translation, particularly for SSA and probate — bring both when possible.
The Embassy typically issues the CRODA within a few days to 1–2 weeks of the death, once the local foreign death certificate is available and the next of kin has provided the necessary information (full name, date of birth, citizenship information, next of kin details). Contact the Embassy immediately after the death to start this process — they are experienced with these situations and will guide you step by step.
A non-US citizen who dies abroad does not get a CRODA — that document is only for US citizens. You will need the foreign death certificate with certified English translation and, for US agency submissions, potentially apostille authentication. US probate courts, banks, and insurance companies can generally process claims using an authenticated foreign death certificate. The requirements vary by institution — contact each one directly.
Contact the State Department's Office of Overseas Citizens Services at 1-888-407-4747. Provide the deceased's full name, date and place of death, and case reference number if available. Copies can be requested by mail or through the State Department's contact process. There is typically a small fee per copy.