Losing a loved one is already an ordeal. When the person was French and the death occurs in Senegal, formalities must be completed with the Senegalese and then the French authorities. They determine the inheritance, the survivor’s pension or the updating of the family record book (livret de famille).
1. Declare the death in Senegal
A death occurring in Senegal must first be declared to the Senegalese civil status office.
2. Register it in the French civil status
The certificate can then be registered at the French Consulate General in Dakar, with no time limit. This step is not compulsory but is strongly recommended: without it, the death is not recorded on the deceased’s birth certificate. A relative or any person well informed of the deceased’s civil status can take this step, by appointment requested by email.
Main documents:
- original death certificate signed by a doctor;
- original literal copy of the Senegalese death certificate;
- full copy of the deceased’s French birth certificate, less than 3 months old;
- proof of French nationality, proof of last address and the deceased’s French identity documents (originals presented at the appointment);
- if possible, the certificate of cause of death and the family record book.
By way of exception, the consulate may also transcribe the death of a foreign national whose spouse was French, in order to update the family record book.
3. Repatriation or burial
The consulate makes sure the family is informed and advises it on repatriation or burial. The costs remain payable by the family or the deceased’s insurance.
How we help
Legal Field Avocats handles the civil status formalities and advises you on Franco-Senegalese inheritance questions, so that you do not have to manage everything alone at this difficult time.
Need help after the death of a loved one? Call us on +221 33 844 29 16.
Source: French Consulate General in Dakar – Death (in French).
See also: French civil status in West Africa, country by country · French visa refusal lawyer
LEGAL FIELD AVOCATS
14 rue Woro Fila, Fann Hock, Dakar, Senegal
Phone: +221 33 844 29 16
Email: contact@fbavocat-sn.com
Our correspondent law firm in France:
FB AVOCAT
11 rue Galin, 33100 Bordeaux, France
Phone: +33 9 85 40 18 64
Email: contact@legalfb-avocat.fr