Registering a death

To make an appointment to register a death please contact the relevant register office

The registration must take place within five days of the death.

Who can register a death?
The following persons have a legal obligation to register a death; they are listed in order of preference: 

• a relative of the deceased
• a person present at the death  
• a person arranging the funeral (not a funeral director but the person instructing them).   

In certain circumstances other people, such as the senior administrator at a residential home, may be allowed to register a death. Please contact the Registrar for advice.

What is needed to register the death?
The following information is required: 

• full name and surname of the deceased 
• date and place of birth 
• occupation (even if retired) 
• usual address 
• in the case of a married person, the full name and date of birth of their spouse, and their occupation.
  

You will need to bring a ‘Medical Certificate of Cause of Death’; the doctor in medical attendance will issue this. If the death has been referred to HM Coroner, the Coroner’s Officer will advise you what to do. If you are unsure contact a Registrar.

If you are able to locate the deceased’s Medical Card, please bring that with you when you attend at the Register Office. If you cannot find it, the Registrar will be able to continue the registration without the Medical Card.

It can be helpful to bring birth and marriage certificates relating to the deceased with you but it is not essential.

If the deceased was in receipt of a pension from public funds e.g. Civil Service or HM Forces, please bring details with you.

What certificates will I receive?
The registrar will issue the following certificates, free of charge: 

• a certificate of Burial or Cremation - this is a green form that you should pass to the funeral director
• a certificate of Registration of Death - this is a white form for social security (Benefits Agency) purposes, usually referred to as a BD8.   

‘Certified copies of a Death Entry’ are available from the registrar and are generally referred to as ‘death certificates’. These certificates cost £3.50 each and may be required for banks, insurance companies, occupational pension schemes etc. 

Further information is available on the General Register Office website - please see the related links section.