Registration

A death must be registered within 5 days, unless the coroner is investigating the cause of death, and an appointment will be required to register.

Who can register a death? - The death should be registered by one of the following (in order of priority):

A relative who was present at the death
A relative present during the person's last illness
A relative living in the district where the death took place
Anyone else present at the death
An owner or occupier of the building where the death took place and who was aware of the death
The person arranging the funeral (but not the funeral director)

Where should a death be registered? - A death must be registered in the district where the death occurred.If you are not able to travel to the district where the death occurred, you can visit your local register office, to make a declaration. The declaration will be sent to the district where the person died, the register office there will then complete the registration, and send any certificates that are required through the post to you.

Make an appointment to register -Please note: you cannot make an appointment until you have been informed that the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death has been signed by a doctor who treated your loved one in their last illness, and has been given to you (or, the Coroner's investigation has been completed, if applicable).

What do I take to the Registrar? -You will need the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (except if the Coroner is involved). You will also need to bring some documentary identification for the deceased, as well as proof of your identification.

The Registrar will need the following information about the person that has died:

The date and place of their birth
Their occupation
If he/she was married, then the name and occupation of the their spouse
Their maiden surname (if a woman who had been married)
Their usual address
The name and address of the person registering the death Their NHS number

Certificates - There is no "original" death certificate. If you need certified copies of the register entry, to deal with the estate of the deceased, you are able to purchase these from the registrar at your appointment for £11.00 each. (at 16.2.19.) Think about the complexity of the estate, and buy enough certified copies to deal with: the bank, building society, insurance company, solicitor, private pension, stocks and shares, property matters, etc.

If you don't buy enough certificates at the appointment, you can buy further copies at a later date, at an increased cost.

'Tell Us Once'- It may be possible to inform all government departments and local council services of the death via this system. The Registrar will either complete this for you, or will give you a unique reference number which enables you to do this online, or over the telephone (depending upon if the Registrar offers this service).

If the Registrar offers this service you should bring the following information with you:

The deceased's national insurance number
The deceased's surviving husband, wife or civil partner's national insurance number OR next of kin's national insurance number
Next of kin's name, address and telephone number
Information about any benefits and services the deceased may have been receiving (e.g. state pension, income support, housing benefit, library card etc)
Name and address of the person dealing with the deceased's estate (if different)
Driving licence (if held), or driver number if licence not available
Passport (if held) or passport number if passport not available
Blue badge (if held)
Concessionary travel pass (if held)

If you are unable to locate any of this information in time for your appointment, please don't worry, you will still be able to use the service later by telephone. The registrar will give you a unique reference number and a telephone number to call.

If you are not the next of kin or person dealing with the deceased's estate, you will need their permission in order for the registrar to pass on this information.

You will receive a Tell Us Once letter at the end of the registration that will list the services that have been informed of the death.