What to do if someone dies in Georgia

If a British National Dies in Georgia

Call the British Embassy Tbilisi emergency line immediately. Then — before doing anything else related to documentation — begin searching for a certified translator who is accredited in Georgian legal language.

This is not the usual sequence. Normally you wait until documents are issued before engaging a translator. In Georgia, start now. Georgian is written in the Mkhedruli script. Very few UK-based translators are accredited in Georgian legal and administrative language. Finding one can take several days. A delay in translation, on top of the standard documentation processing time, extends the overall timeline significantly.

Ask the British Embassy Tbilisi for their current recommended translator list before the end of your first call.

Georgian: The Mkhedruli Script Issue

Georgian is the official language of Georgia. It is written in a script unique to Georgia — Mkhedruli — with no connection to Cyrillic, Latin, or any other script system. General translation agencies cannot help. You need a specialist.

For repatriation documentation, the translator must be:

• Accredited for Georgian legal and administrative language (not conversational Georgian);
• Able to translate the Civil Registry Agency death certificate format;
• Recognised by the British Embassy Tbilisi or UK courts.

Do not attempt to use a general language service for this. It will not produce documents that are accepted by UK authorities.

Step 1: Report the Death

Deaths in Georgia are registered with the Civil Registry Agency (LEPL — Legal Entity of Public Law). The death certificate is issued by a Civil Registry Agency service centre.

For sudden, unnatural, or suspicious deaths, the police (Ministry of Internal Affairs) take jurisdiction and the body is referred to the Levan Samkharauli National Forensics Bureau.

Step 2: The Levan Samkharauli National Forensics Bureau

Georgia’s national forensic medicine service is the Levan Samkharauli National Forensics Bureau in Tbilisi. It conducts post-mortems for all unnatural, suspicious, or sudden unexplained deaths. The Bureau is a functioning, well-regarded institution by regional standards.

Post-mortem turnaround for straightforward cases: five to ten working days.

Step 3: Documentation and Export Permit

The Ministry of Labour, Health and Social Affairs issues the export permit once death registration, police investigation closure, and forensic processes are complete.

Required documents:

• Death certificate from the Civil Registry Agency (LEPL)
• Police investigation closure for unnatural deaths
• National Forensics Bureau post-mortem report if required
• Ministry of Labour, Health and Social Affairs export permit
• Certified English translations of all Georgian documents (Mkhedruli script)
• Embalming certificate

Step 4: Mountain Deaths in Kazbegi and Svaneti

Georgia’s mountains are an increasingly popular British tourist destination. Two areas produce the most serious incidents.

Kazbegi (Stepantsminda) is a major trekking hub about three hours’ drive from Tbilisi. The Kazbegi Mountain Rescue Service covers the main trekking routes around Mount Kazbek. Recovery from the main trails takes 24 to 48 hours in good conditions. Deaths in the high alpine zone above 4,000 metres — on the Kazbek summit route — may take longer depending on conditions.

Svaneti is significantly more remote. The regional capital Mestia is reached by a long mountain road from Zugdidi. Deaths on the backcountry trails — routes toward Ushba, toward the Russian border — can involve extended recovery operations of 48 to 96 hours.

For mountain deaths: alert the British Embassy immediately and contact the relevant rescue service. Mountain rescue completion is required before the forensic and documentation chain can begin.

Gudauri ski resort (about two hours from Tbilisi) has resort ski patrol and a medical facility. Deaths at Gudauri follow the standard procedure and are less logistically complicated than backcountry mountain deaths.

Step 5: Routing to the UK

Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) is the main hub. Wizz Air operates direct flights between London Gatwick (LGW) and TBS. Wizz Air also flies to Kutaisi International Airport (KUT). Turkish Airlines via Istanbul is an alternative.

Human remains cargo must be pre-booked. Confirm the specific carrier’s human remains cargo requirements before finalising the repatriation plan.