When it comes to arranging a repatriation, we commonly request a copy of the death certificate as well as the deceased’s passport. However, it is sometimes the case that the deceased did not have a passport for the country they want to be repatriated to or the passport is simply expired or lost.
If it is a planned repatriation, we typically recommend the passport is kept up-to-date where possible but the circumstances are not always so simple and we appreciate that there might be circumstances that make obtaining a passport difficult. In any case, the repatriation can often be completed without the need of a passport, though this may add additional delay to the process.
It is worth noting that each country has a different set of rules in place so it is important to check their requirements, either through the government website or by getting in touch with the embassy. For certain countries, a passport may not be required due to the regulations in place, such as repatriating to Jamaica.
For most repatriation processes, you won’t need to have a fully updated passport. An expired passport will be just as usable for the needs of repatriation. However, make sure not to cancel the passport until after the repatriation process is completed, if they do have one that is up to date.
However, for countries where a passport is required and you don’t have one or you don’t have one for the country requested, you will need to work to prove the person’s identity. In most cases, this will rely on contacting the relevant embassy or consulate and helping to establish the deceased’s right to repatriation in the required country. This can be done in a number of ways but the more evidence you can provide, the better. Any relevant ID, an affidavit from a loved one with relevant citizenship and the deceased’s birth and death certificates are all good forms of evidence to provide.
Assuming that the relevant documentation passes inspection, the embassy may then be able to provide you with a transit permit to help arrange for the repatriation of the loved one to their destination. This again might require further conversation with an airline or travel provider to ensure that there are no further complications but a transit permit or similar document should be all that is needed.
We hope that this provides you with the information and support you need but if you have any further questions or queries please do not hesitate to get in touch. We have experience working with difficult or complex repatriations across the world and we have the expertise necessary to provide a smooth repatriation for your loved one.
