Death Abroad, Missing Persons, and Disaster
What if the death occurred in another country with a complicated legal system?
Short answer
The U.S. Embassy is your first call. They can advise on local law, find local attorneys who speak English and know U.S. family needs, and help navigate local death registration. Do not sign local documents you do not understand — ask for…
What this usually means
The U.S. Embassy is your first call. They can advise on local law, find local attorneys who speak English and know U.S. family needs, and help navigate local death registration. Do not sign local documents you do not understand — ask for translation and time to review.
What to do next
- Start the PathAfter checklist for situation-aware first steps.
- Find California county phone numbers for coroner, vital records, and local offices.
- Open the First 72 Hours Call Log before making calls.
- Open the Documents to Find Checklist when you are ready for paperwork.