Funeral repatriation route guide
Repatriation from the United States to Taiwan
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Quick answer
Repatriation from the United States to Taiwan: what to expect
The United States and Taiwan maintain close unofficial relations through the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) in Washington DC. The Taiwanese-American community is large and well-established, concentrated in California, New York, and Texas. When a Taiwanese national or a person with Taiwanese family connections dies in the United States, the death is registered with the state civil records office. The Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Washington DC can advise on documentation requirements for the Household Registration Office. US death certificates require certified Traditional Chinese translation. Taiwan is not a formal Hague Apostille Convention member.
- Key document: death certificate (in English)
- Documentation takes 5-10 days. Appoint a specialist on day one.
- Death must be registered with the state civil records office where the death occurred promptly.
- Taiwan Embassy in Washington DC can advise on documentation. They cannot fund repatriation.
Step by step
Timeline: the United States to Taiwan
Immediate steps after death
Day of death. Call 911 for local emergency services, and contact the embassy or consulate of the person's own country.
Family or travel insurer
Death registered. Death certificate obtained.
Death must be registered with the state civil records office where the death occurred. Violent, sudden, or unexplained deaths (medical examiner or coroner, varies by state) may delay this step.
Local funeral director and registry
Taiwan Embassy in Washington DC 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 5-10 days. Cannot begin until death certificate issued.
Local funeral director and authorities
Air cargo to Taiwan
Once all documentation complete.
Repatriation specialist and airline cargo
Taiwan funeral director takes custody. Receiving funeral director coordinates with local authorities.
Within 24 hours of arrival.
Receiving funeral director
The process
What happens after a death in the United States
Call 911 for emergency services. Death is certified by a physician or medical examiner. The death is registered with the state civil records office where the death occurred. Each US state operates its own civil records system. The coroner or medical examiner takes jurisdiction for violent, sudden, or unexplained deaths, with processes varying by state. The United States is a Hague Apostille Convention member.
Common questions
FAQs: repatriation from the United States to Taiwan
In a straightforward case, repatriation from the United States to Taiwan takes 3-5 weeks. The fastest cases complete in 2-3 weeks. Complex cases can take 8-12 weeks or longer.
Death must be registered with the state civil records office where the death occurred promptly. Violent, sudden, or unexplained deaths (medical examiner or coroner, varies by state) may add time before the body can be released.
The core documents are: 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 Taiwan Embassy in Washington DC can assist with document authentication and advise on repatriation requirements. They cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. Contact the Taiwan Embassy in Washington DC as soon as possible after the death.
Violent, sudden, or unexplained deaths (medical examiner or coroner, varies by state) may trigger a post-mortem examination. This adds time: the body cannot be released until the authorities authorise it.
The Taiwanese funeral director takes custody at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) or Taipei Songshan Airport (TSA) cargo terminal. The Household Registration Office (huji suo) under the Ministry of the Interior registers the death and issues the death certificate in Traditional Chinese. All foreign documents require certified Traditional Chinese translation. Taiwan is not a formal Hague Apostille Convention member; document authentication follows bilateral arrangements through the Taipei Representative Office or equivalent trade office. An embalming certificate and hermetically sealed coffin are required.
Cremation in the United States is widely available in all states. You will need the local death certificate, cremation certificate, and relevant export documentation. Your repatriation specialist can advise on the current position.
In Taiwan
When the body arrives in Taiwan
The Taiwanese funeral director takes custody at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) or Taipei Songshan Airport (TSA) cargo terminal. Death registration in Taiwan is handled by the Household Registration Office (huji suo) under the Ministry of the Interior. The death certificate (sijin zhengmingshu) is issued in Traditional Chinese; all foreign documents require certified Traditional Chinese translation. Taiwan is not a formal member of the Hague Apostille Convention, as most countries do not maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan; document authentication follows bilateral arrangements. An embalming certificate and hermetically sealed coffin are required for international air transport.
Consular support
The Taiwan representative office or trade office in Washington DC can advise on documentation requirements for repatriation to Taiwan. As Taiwan is not formally represented through embassies in most countries, consular matters are handled through the Taipei Representative Office or an equivalent trade and economic office. They cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. Contact the Household Registration Office in Taiwan for civil registration queries.
Related guides
More repatriation guidance
We are here to help. Send us the details, any time
If your loved one has died in the United States, 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 Taiwan.
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 the United States (gov.uk) · the United States repatriation guide · Frequently asked questions