Funeral repatriation route guide
Repatriation from France to Georgia
For families bringing someone home to Georgia. Send the details any time and we will take it from there.
Key facts
Repatriation from France to Georgia: what to expect
France hosts a growing Georgian community, with several thousand Georgian nationals resident in Paris and other cities. When a Georgian national dies in France and their family wishes to repatriate remains to Georgia, the death is registered with the local mairie (town hall) civil registry. The acte de deces is issued in French and requires certified Georgian translation for submission to the Public Services Development Agency (PSDA). The Embassy of Georgia in Paris can advise on documentation requirements. Georgia joined the Hague Apostille Convention in 2007; French-issued apostille certificates are accepted.
- Key document: acte de deces (death certificate) (in French)
- Documentation takes 3-5 days. Appoint a specialist on day one.
- Death must be registered with the local mairie (town hall) civil registry promptly.
- Georgia Embassy in Paris can advise on documentation. They cannot fund repatriation.
The process
What happens after a death in France
Call 17 for police, 15 for ambulance, or 112 for the EU emergency number. Death is certified by a physician. The acte de deces is registered with the local mairie (town hall). The Procureur de la Republique (public prosecutor) takes jurisdiction for violent or unexplained deaths. France is an EU member and Hague Apostille Convention member.
Step by step
Timeline: France to Georgia
Immediate steps after death
Day of death. Call 17 (police) / 15 (ambulance) / 112 (EU emergency) for local emergency services, and contact the embassy or consulate of the person's own country.
Family or travel insurer
Death registered. Acte de deces (death certificate) obtained.
Death must be registered with the local mairie (town hall) civil registry. Violent or unexplained deaths (Procureur de la Republique) may delay this step.
Local funeral director and registry
Georgia Embassy in Paris notified
Simultaneous with Step 1. Embassy provides a list of local funeral directors.
Family or repatriation specialist
Embalming and preparation.
After body released by authorities.
Licensed local funeral director
All export documentation and permits obtained.
Allow 3-5 days. Cannot begin until death certificate issued.
Local funeral director and authorities
Air cargo to Georgia
Once all documentation complete.
Repatriation specialist and airline cargo
Georgia funeral director takes custody. Receiving funeral director coordinates with local authorities.
Within 24 hours of arrival.
Receiving funeral director
In Georgia
When the body arrives in Georgia
The Georgian funeral director takes custody at Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) or Batumi International Airport (BUS) cargo terminal. Death registration in Georgia is handled by the Public Services Development Agency (PSDA), which operates Justice House civil registry offices across the country. The death certificate (sikvdilis sabuTi) is issued in Georgian (Mkhedruli script); foreign documents require certified Georgian translation. Georgia joined the Hague Apostille Convention in 2007; apostille certificates from member states are accepted. An embalming certificate and hermetically sealed coffin are required for international air transport.
Consular support
The Georgian Embassy or Consulate in Paris can advise on documentation requirements for repatriation to Georgia. Georgia joined the Hague Apostille Convention in 2007. The Embassy cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. Contact the Public Services Development Agency (PSDA) in Georgia for civil registration queries.
Related guides
More repatriation guidance
Common questions
FAQs: repatriation from France to Georgia
In a straightforward case, repatriation from France to Georgia takes 2-4 weeks. The fastest cases complete in 10-14 days. Complex cases can take 4-8 weeks or longer.
Death must be registered with the local mairie (town hall) civil registry promptly. Violent or unexplained deaths (Procureur de la Republique) may add time before the body can be released.
The core documents are: acte de deces (death certificate) with certified translation where required, embalming certificate, export permit, freedom from infection certificate, and passport of the deceased. Your repatriation coordinator handles obtaining these on your behalf.
The Georgia Embassy in Paris can assist with document authentication and advise on repatriation requirements. They cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. Contact the Georgia Embassy in Paris as soon as possible after the death.
Violent or unexplained deaths (Procureur de la Republique) may trigger a post-mortem examination. This adds time: the body cannot be released until the authorities authorise it.
The Georgian funeral director takes custody at Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) or Batumi International Airport (BUS) cargo terminal. The Public Services Development Agency (PSDA) operates Justice House civil registry offices, which register the death and issue the sikvdilis sabuTi (death certificate) in Georgian. Foreign documents require certified Georgian translation before submission to the PSDA. Georgia joined the Hague Apostille Convention in 2007; apostille certificates from member states are accepted. An embalming certificate and hermetically sealed coffin are required.
Cremation in France is widely available. You will need the local death certificate, cremation certificate, and relevant export documentation. Your repatriation specialist can advise on the current position.
We are here to help. Send us the details, any time
If your loved one has died in France, please do not face this alone. Send us the details and we will explain what happens next and prepare a quote for bringing them home to Georgia.
Reviewed by the Repatriate Service editorial team. Information sourced from official government and embassy guidance and professional repatriation experience. Facts last checked September 2026; page updated .
Sources: Official guidance on a death in France (gov.uk) · France repatriation guide · Frequently asked questions