What document is required when death is presumed but no body is available?

When death is presumed but no body is available, a court order is necessary to legally declare the individual deceased. This court order serves as the official documentation that affirms the presumption of death without having the physical remains. Such a situation often arises in cases of missing persons or situations where circumstances prevent recovery of the body, making it essential to obtain a legal declaration to allow for the management of the deceased's estate and other legal matters.

A death declaration, while it may appear relevant, does not carry the same legal weight as a court order and is typically used in other contexts. A certificate of loss is not a recognized legal document in proceedings surrounding presumed death. A missing person certificate, while it acknowledges the absence of an individual, does not establish death in the eyes of the law. The court order is the definitive legal requirement in these situations.