Procedure to follow in the event of a death in a combat zone, where obtaining a medical certificate of death is impossible

1. Drawing up a collective act:

• If it is not possible to obtain a medical death certificate due to active hostilities, a collective death certificate should be drawn up.
• This act is signed by several witnesses to the event who confirm the fact of the person's death.
• If possible, the act can be certified by representatives of the local administration, civil society activists, and other authorised persons.

2. Preparing to go to court:

• Gather all possible evidence that confirms the circumstances of the death:
• Identity documents of the deceased (if available).
• Testimonies of eyewitnesses.
• Photo and video recordings of the scene (if possible).
• Collective act as the main evidence of the death.

3. Filing an application with the court:

• Apply to any local court in the government-controlled territory of Ukraine with an application to establish the fact of death.
• In the application, indicate:
• Information about the deceased person.
• The circumstances under which the death occurred.
• The reason for the impossibility of obtaining a medical death certificate in the general procedure.
• The purpose of establishing the fact of death (e.g., obtaining a death certificate at the Civil Registry Office).

4. Consideration of the case by the court:

• The court will decide the case based on the evidence presented.
• If possible, arrange for witnesses to attend the hearing (in person or online).

5. Obtaining a death certificate:

• After receiving the court decision, contact the Civil Registry Office to register the death and obtain a death certificate.

Note:

Drawing up a collective act and filing an application with the court is necessary in circumstances where standard death registration procedures are not possible due to hostilities.