What must be filed to legally report a death in most jurisdictions?

A death certificate is the official document required to legally report a death in most jurisdictions. It serves as the formal record of an individual's death and includes essential details such as the cause of death, the time and place of death, and identifying information about the deceased. Filing a death certificate is crucial for various legal and administrative purposes, including settling the deceased's estate, accessing life insurance benefits, and clearing up any financial interests related to the individual.

While a last will and testament outlines an individual’s wishes regarding their estate after death, it is not a legal requirement for reporting the death itself. An estate plan may contain various legal documents, including wills and trusts, but it does not serve as a means to report a death. An autopsy report may provide information regarding the cause of death but is typically not required for the legal reporting of a death. Therefore, a death certificate is the key document that fulfills this legal obligation.