Registering a Death

Who can register a death?

In order of preference, the following persons are legally responsible for registering a death:

• a relative present at the death
• a relative
• a person present at the death
• an occupant of the house or official from the hospital, if that is where the death occurred
• the person making the arrangements with the funeral directors but not the funeral directors themselves.

Most deaths are registered by a relative. The registrars would not normally allow one of the other people listed above to register the death unless there are no relatives available to do it.

What documents should I bring?

The following documents are not compulsory but will help you to provide the correct details to the registrar. If you do not have these documents, you should still attend the appointment as the registration can go ahead without them.

Deceased person’s documents:

• passport, birth certificate, marriage or civil partnership certificates
• change of name documents
• NHS medical card or NHS number
• proof of address (such as driving license or utility bill).

Your documents:

• passport or driving license
• proof of address (such as driving licence or utility bill).

What information will the registrar ask for?

• the date and place of death
• the full names and surname of the person who has died
• any maiden surname – if applicable
• the date and place of birth of the person who has died
• the occupation or former occupation of the person who has died
• if the deceased was a married person, the full name and occupation of her/his husband or wife
• the name and occupation of the civil partner, if the deceased was in a civil partnership or was a surviving civil partner
• if the deceased was still married or in a civil partnership, the date of birth of their widow, widower or civil partner
• the deceased’s usual address
• your full name and address
• information on any government pensions or allowances received by the deceased.

What documents will I receive?

We will issue a form for you to give to the funeral director to enable the burial or cremation, unless this has already been issued by the coroner, and a form for the Department of Works and Pensions (DWP).

Registration of a death is free of charge but a fee is payable for any certified death certificates. Death certificates are needed for many purposes, including:

• probate or letters of administration
• bank and building society accounts
• insurance policies
• dealing with stocks and shares owned by the deceased
• family records.

If the Coroner has conducted an investigation, registration of the death will be delayed until this investigation is complete. Depending on the circumstances this could be after the funeral – please contact us for advice if you are unsure.