On Dec 2, I applied to the court for a Grant of Letters of Administration to administer my late aunt’s Housing and Development Board flat.

To support this application, I applied to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) for my late aunt’s “death extract” — a certified-true copy of her death certificate.

The court also needed the death certificate of my aunt’s late mother, as she was a beneficiary of her estate. Hence, I applied to the ICA for a copy of her death certificate, too.

To my shock, it was S$40 a copy. This excluded a S$3.14 registered postage fee.

I paid S$86.28 for the two death certificates.

To make matters worse, an ICA officer phoned me to seek a reason for the request, despite my indicating in the application that it was for a Grant of Letters of Administration.

I wish to find out why the fee for a copy of a death certificate is so high. What happens to elderly or unemployed citizens who cannot afford it?

Also, why isn’t there an option for collection over the counter at the ICA? This will allow applicants to save on postage.

Have views on this issue or a news topic you care about? Send your letter to voices [at] mediacorp.com.sg with your full name, address and phone number.