Court Rules Moroccan Hospital Must Issue Death Certificate Despite Unpaid Bills

The court affirmed that a hospital director cannot legally refuse to issue a death certificate on the grounds that treatment fees have not been paid. The jurisdiction reminded that this document is of an official nature, its sole purpose is to certify a death, and that obtaining it is a fundamental right for relatives.

The judgment includes this decision in the principle of simplification of administrative procedures, which should allow the delivery of public services without illegal obstacles or unjustified complications. The right to obtain the certificate cannot therefore be restricted or conditioned by financial obligations.

The court decision thus establishes a clear distinction between the administrative procedure of issuing the certificate and any potential debt between the hospital and the deceased’s family. Any existing debt falls under standard recovery procedures and cannot justify blocking such an essential document for the steps that follow a death.