Death of a Dutch national in Thailand
If your spouse, partner or family member dies in Thailand, the Thai authorities will want to know who they can release the body to. Depending on the situation, they may ask the Dutch embassy to notify the next of kin. Read on to find out what to do in such an event.
Thai authorities inform the embassy
If a Dutch national dies in a Thai hospital, the Thai authorities report the death to the Dutch embassy. This also happens if the death was the result of a crime or accident. The Thai authorities request a letter of authorisation from the embassy, stating who they may release the body to.
If a Dutch national dies at home and the funeral is held in Thailand, the embassy may not always be informed. The funeral is then held without the embassy’s authorisation.
Embassy requests official confirmation
The embassy requests a copy of the deceased person’s passport and official confirmation of death from the Thai authorities. This does not have to be a death certificate – depending on the cause of death, the embassy could also receive a police report or hospital report.
Embassy or ministry notifies next of kin
The embassy identifies the next of kin and finds out whether they have been notified of the death. This may be when the embassy first reaches out to you. If you are in the Netherlands, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs rather than the embassy will contact you.
Release of body to next of kin
The embassy must determine who the Thai authorities can release the body to. That is why they need to identify the next of kin.
If you are the next of kin and it is up to you to decide what is to be done with the deceased person’s body, you will receive a letter of authorisation from the embassy at no charge. You can use this letter to request release of the body from the Thai authorities. You can then arrange a funeral in Thailand or have the body brought back to the Netherlands (repatriation).
If the deceased person was married, their spouse is the first nex of kin.
Marriage took place in Thailand
The deceased person's husband or wife must show the following documents to the embassy:
- A copy of the deceased person's Dutch passport.
- A copy of the marriage certificate.
As things must often be arranged quickly in the event of a death, the Thai marriage certificate does not need to be legalised in this case.
Marriage took place in the Netherlands
If the marriage took place in the Netherlands, it is sufficient if the marriage is registered in the Personal Records Database (BRP) or if the deceased spouse's name is registered in their husband of wife's passport (under 'e/v').
If someone other than the first next of kin, such as a partner to whom the deceased was not married, wishes to organise the funeral they must first obtain written permission from the next of kin to do this.
The embassy will require:
- A copy of the written permission.
- A copy of the valid IDs of all parties involved.
The embassy can then issue the letter of authorisation stating that the remains can be released to the authorised person.
Arranging a will or a statement of intent before death
If you live in Thailand, are not married and want to arrange that your remains can be released to your partner on the occasion of your death, have a local law firm with notarial powers draw up a will or a statement of intent.
See the list of lawyers in Thailand
It is not possible to register this wish at the embassy.
The embassy will issue your partner with a letter of authorisation when your partner submits the will or statement of intent after your death.
How can you apply for the authorisation letter?
You can send an email to ban-ca@minbuza.nl to apply for the letter of authorisation.
How long will it take?
You will normally receive the letter of authorisation the same day you apply for it or, at the latest, one working day later.
Registering a death in Thailand
If you have received a letter of authorisation from the embassy for the release of the body, you can use it to register the death with the local district office (amphoe). You will then receive a Thai death certificate. Without the letter of authorisation it is usually not possible to register a death or request an official copy of the death certificate.
Help from insurer
If the deceased person had travel insurance, funeral insurance or supplementary health insurance, the insurer will help you from here, taking care of many of the details so you don’t have to. Aside from the embassy helping you with any documents you may need, the embassy and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs will then no longer be involved.
Waiver if you cannot or do not want make funeral arrangements
Under certain circumstances you may not want to or be able to make funeral arrangements. You may choose to have someone else do it instead. In that case you must sign a waiver releasing the body to someone else, thereby authorising them to make the arrangements. If that is not possible the Thai authorities will arrange a funeral. Your wishes or those of the deceased person will then not be taken into account.
Bringing the deceased person’s body back to the Netherlands (repatriation)
If you want to bring the deceased person’s body back to the Netherlands for a funeral, an international funeral director can assist you. AsiaOne is one of the main international funeral directors in Thailand. They usually work with the Dutch funeral director Van der Heden I.R.U. bv.
AsiaOne International Repatriation & Funeral Services
No. 7, Chan Road Soi 46
Watprayakrai, Bangkolaem, Bangkok, 10120 Thailand
Tel: +66 (0) 2675-0501, +66 (0) 2675-0502
Fax: +66 (0) 2675-2227
Website: www.asiaone-thf.com
Email: info@asiaone-thf.com
The embassy provides the necessary letters to the funeral director at no charge. The funeral director can then request the death certificate and have it translated and legalised. The funeral director can also request the deceased person’s passport and personal belongings from the Thai authorities. The embassy arranges a temporary travel document (laissez-passer) allowing the body to be transported to the Netherlands.
The following documents are needed for the repatriation of a body:
- A laissez-passer for the body. This is issued by the embassy for a fee. The flight details are provided on the laissez-passer.
- A certified true copy of the deceased person’s passport. This is issued by the embassy for a fee. Once the certified true copy has been made the embassy cancels the original passport.
- An original, legalised English translation of the death certificate.
In some situations there may not be enough time to have the death certificate legalised by the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs. If that is the case the Dutch embassy can provide a certified true copy of the death certificate and the translation. This copy of the death certificate cannot be used in the Netherlands for arranging other practical matters. The funeral director will send you the translated and legalised death certificate at a later date.
Bringing ashes to the Netherlands
If the deceased person’s body has been cremated in Thailand you can bring or have someone else bring the ashes to the Netherlands in an urn. The following documents are needed for this:
- A certificate of cremation from the temple.
- A laissez-passer for the ashes. This is issued by the embassy for a fee. The flight details are provided on the laissez-passer.
- A certified true copy of the passport. This is issued by the embassy for a fee. Once the certified true copy has been made the embassy cancels the original passport.
- An original, legalised English translation of the death certificate.
Registering a death in the Netherlands
You may have to register the death in the Netherlands with various organisations, such as the municipality where the deceased person was registered. The relevant organisation will also have to be informed if the deceased person received Dutch state pension (AOW) or still paid tax in the Netherlands. To register a death you must show a legalised English translation of the death certificate. It is often difficult for an individual to request a death certificate in Thailand.
Requesting a death certificate from the Netherlands
You can request a death certificate from the Netherlands for €131 through the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs in The Hague.
If the death has already been reported to the Dutch embassy, you can request a death certificate through the Consular Affairs Division of the Consular Affairs and Visa Policy Department (DCV/CA):
dcv-ca@minbuza.nl
Tel: +31 (0)70 348 4770.
In all other cases you can request a death certificate through the Consular Service Centre:
info.consular@minbuza.nl
Tel: +31 (0) 70 348 4333.
It usually takes at least 2 to 3 months from the time the payment is made before the document is ready. Depending on the situation it may also take longer.
Having a death certificate translated and legalised
If you would like to have the Thai death certificate translated into English, it is best to have this done by a certified translation agency in Thailand.
Legalisation of a death certificate by the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs must legalise the original death certificate together with the translation in order for it to be accepted in the Netherlands. If you request the legalisation but are not a first-degree family member with the same surname, the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs will request a letter of authorisation from the embassy stating that you are authorised to request the legalisation. The letter of authorisation is provided at no charge.
Having a death certificate translated and legalised by the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs takes 2 working days. Express same-day service is also available; you can drop off your document in the morning and collect it in the afternoon.
Find out more about having foreign documents legalised
Legalisation by the Dutch embassy
Once the death certificate has been legalised by the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Dutch embassy must also legalise it. Make an appointment for this online. You must pay the legalisation fees for both the original death certificate and the translation. Documents dropped off in the morning can be collected in the afternoon on the same day.
Addresses of the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Bangkok (Central Thailand), 2 locations:
Legalization Division, Department of Consular Affairs
123 Chaeng Wattana Road, 3rd Floor
Tung Song Hong, Laksi, Bangkok 10210
Tel: +66 (0) 2575-1057/1058/1059/1060
Fax: +66 (0) 2575-1054
Legalization Office at MRT Khlong Toei Station
Opening hours: 8.30–15.30 (Express service: 8.30-9.30)
Chiang Mai (North Thailand)
Government Complex Chiang Mai Province
Legalization Division, Department of Consular Affairs
Chotana Road Changpueak
Mueang Chiang Mai Province 50000
Tel: +66 (0) 53-112-748/749/750
Fax: +66 (0) 53-112-764
Opening hours: 8.30-14.30
Ubon Ratchathani (Northeast Thailand)
Ubon Ratchathani City Hall
Legalization Division, 1st Floor (located at the back of East Building)
Chaengsanit Road Chae Ramae
Mueang Ubon Ratchathani Province 34000
Tel: +66 (0) 45-344-5812
Fax: +66 (0) 45-344-646
Songkhla (South Thailand)
Government Complex Songkhla Province
Legalization Division, Department of Consular Affairs
Ratchadamnoen Road
Mueang Songkhla Province
Tel: +66 (0) 74-326-508/509/510
Fax: +66 (0) 74-326-511
Claiming an inheritance
If you are a beneficiary and would like to claim your part of an inheritance, keep in mind that it is often difficult to gain access to a deceased person’s bank account. Thai banks are very strict and, in most cases, a Thai court must give authorisation before you can access someone else’s bank account. The court investigates kinship ties and determines who is officially entitled to the deceased person’s bank assets.
See the list of Dutch- and English-speaking lawyers in Thailand
Contact
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.