Jordan Death Certificate Attestation from the USA

Settling a Relative’s Affairs in Jordan After a Death in the U.S.

When someone with property, accounts, a pension or family in Jordan dies in the United States, the family soon needs to show the death to Jordanian courts, banks and government offices. Nothing can move, not the inheritance, the land, the bank account or the family record, until a U.S. death certificate with Embassy of Jordan legalization is presented. We know these requests often come at a hard time, and we handle them carefully and promptly.

The inheritance certificate

In Jordan, heirs are established by a court document listing the legal heirs and their shares, commonly called the hujjat hasr irth. For Muslims it is issued by the Sharia court; Christian families use the courts of their church. The court needs the legalized death certificate and documents showing family relationships, such as marriage and birth certificates. Heirs living abroad usually appoint a relative or lawyer in Jordan through a legalized power of attorney to obtain the certificate and handle what follows.

Land, banks and pensions

With the inheritance certificate, heirs can transfer land and apartments at the Department of Lands and Survey, release bank balances, and close or transfer accounts. Where the deceased contributed to Jordan’s Social Security Corporation or received a Jordanian pension, survivors may be entitled to benefits and will be asked for the legalized death certificate. The Civil Status and Passports Department also records the death in the family register.

Repatriation

Families who wish to bury a relative in Jordan work with a funeral home in the U.S., and the Embassy of Jordan or a consulate provides the documents for the remains to enter the country. That is a consular service with its own requirements and timing, so contact the embassy or consulate directly; we can help legalize related documents.

Ordering and legalizing the certificate

Order several certified copies from the vital records office of the state or county where the death occurred, since courts, banks and pension offices may each keep one. Choose the version showing the cause of death if the Jordanian office asks for it. Each certified copy is authenticated by the Secretary of State, with the state’s certificate attached, then by the U.S. Department of State, and legalized by the Embassy of Jordan in Washington, D.C., in roughly a week. Jordan does not accept apostilles. Order under Case 3, personal documents.