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ARCHIVED - Delays in issuing death certificates in Spain due to understaffing and extra work in civil registries
The Covid pandemic overwhelms the limited staff still working in birth and death certificate departments
One of the inevitable consequences of the coronavirus pandemic in Spain is beginning to cause great inconvenience to those who have lost loved ones during the last few weeks, as civil registry offices find themselves overwhelmed in some areas by the increased number of deaths and are unable to produce death certificates with their customary speed.
The delay in this and other administrative processes is also due in part to the reduced levels of staffing during the lockdown restrictions, and grieving relatives are having their misery compounded by their resulting inability to complete the paperwork necessary for organizing pensions for widows, widowers and orphans. In addition, without a death certificate it is impossible for them to deal with matters such as inheritance, life insurance claims and the closure of bank accounts and releasing the funds they contain.
The CSIF union reports that its members in civil registries are demanding that it should be made possible to work from home and that members of the public should no longer be required to be physically present in order to receive birth certificates, “libros de familia” and burial licences: for the last of these a death certificate signed by medical professionals is an indispensable requirement.
Extended opening hours but reduced staffing levels
There have been minimum service requirements concerning civil registries all over Spain since 23rd March, when the Minister of Justice, Juan Carlos Campo, lengthened their opening hours. After noting the increase in the number of deaths occurring and the distress suffered by mourners facing problems in saying goodbye to their loved ones, his resolution states that at least one member of staff must be on duty in all civil registries not only during the usual morning timetable but also from 17.00 to 20.00 every day of the week.
It is also stated that if the necessary technology is available the service can be provided without physical presence being required.
However, the UPSJ union has warned that it is “practically impossible” to provide the Ministry with full data regarding registrations completed since 14th March due to the reduced staffing levels.
Why a death certificate is needed in Spain
An official death certificate is a requirement for various other procedures and documents, including the following:
1 – a “Certificado de Últimas Voluntades”, which is needed in order to establish whether the deceased has drawn up a will and signed it before a notary.
2 – if a will exists, the certificate is needed in order for the bereaved to officially gain access to it.
3 – insurance claims
4 – orphans’, widows’ and widowers’ pension claims
5 – inheritance tax transactions
6 – the closure of bank accounts
7 – the passing on of property from the deceased to the beneficiaries of his/her inheritance.
Image: the Ciudad de la Justicia in Murcia, which houses the Registro Civil in the regional capital (Google Street View)
Remember: LOCKDOWN MEANS LOCKDOWN. STAY AT HOME. STAY SAFE AND DO YOUR BIT TO REDUCE THE SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS.
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Around Mazarrón news, events and local info: Click to join
Mazarrón, Fuente Álamo, Águilas, Lorca, Totana, Puerto Lumbreras, Camposol, Alhama de Murcia. Click to join (all within a half hour drive of each other)
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What to do if you are in the Region of Murcia and believe you may have contracted the virus
The regional government has set up a special helpline to supply information to members of the public (900 121212) if they suspect that they may have contracted the virus rather than going straight to hospital or to a medical centre.
Sensible precautions
The advice being issued to members of the public by medical authorities all over the world coincides on the following points:
- Wash hands frequently with either soap and water or a sanitiser gel
- Catch coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues – and throw the tissues away immediately after use before immediately washing your hands!
- If you don’t have a tissue, use your sleeve – and wash the item of clothing used at the next opportunity
- AVOID touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
- AVOID close contact with people who are unwell
- Don´t panic!
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