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Registering a death
A death has to be recorded at the Register Office that covers the district where the death occurred. Normally this needs to be done within 5 days from the date of death unless a Coroner is involved.
A death cannot be recorded until the Registrar receives the Medical Cause of Death certificate issued by the doctor who attended the deceased during their last illness. This is not required if there is to be a post mortem and/or an inquest when the Coroner will provide the relevant Register Office with the necessary information.
How to Register a Death
To register the death you have 2 options:
- Contact the relevant Register Office
- Contact your local or more convenient Register Office in England or Wales and register the death by declaration
In all cases, a prior appointment is usual and will take between half and one hour. If you register the death by declaration this will result in a time delay in receiving the necessary documentation. This is due to the declaration having to be sent by post to the relevant Register Office who can then proceeed with the registration.
Who can register the Death
The person who registers the death is known as the informant. Normally this is a close relative of the deceased. However, this is not always possible. We list, in order of preference, those that are able to register the death:
- Relative of the deceased, present at the death
- Relative of the deceased
- Any person present at the death
- An occupier of the house where the death happened who is aware of the occurrence. If in an establishment, it is acceptable that the occupier could be the manager or a senior administrator employed by the establishment
- The person who found the body
- The person causing the burial or cremation of the body
What you need to bring with you and information required
- Medical Cause of Death Certificate - normally essential. Refer above.
- Full name of the deceased, maiden name if applicable and any other previous names
- Normal place of residence including the postal code
- Date and place of death including the postal code
- Occupation during working life
- Marital status
- If available, full name, date of birth and occupation of spouse if applicable
- Deceased medical card and/or NHS number if found but not essential
The informant will also need to know how many certified copies of the Death entry will be required. Each one costs £3.50. The average tends to be betweeen 3 and 5 but it rather depends on how complex the deceased's estate is. There is no limit. Payment can be made by cash, cheque or card. If done by declaration, only a cheque or postal order can be accepted as this will be sent in the post along with the declaration to the relevant Register Office.
Documents issued at the time of registration
- Green Form for the funeral director. This may not be necessary if the Coroner has been involved.
- White Form to be completed and sent to the Department for Work and Pensions. This will deal with any income the deceased would have received from or contributed to the State including State Pension. A certified copy death certificate is not required for this purpose but will be needed for any private pensions
- The required number of certified copy death certificates
If the registration is being done by declaration, the relevant Register Office recording the death will forward the above documentation to you. In order to save a little time, you can make arrangements for them to be collected once prepared. The funeral directors often can do this.
Registering a Still-Birth
A still-born child is legally defined as a child born after the 24th week of pregnancy, who did not, at any time after being born, breathe or show any other signs of life. Most of the above information regarding the registration of a death will apply. Please telephone and speak to one of the Registrars who will guide you through what needs to be done.
More details
We also provide each informant with a copy of a booklet titled 'What to do after a death in England and Wales'. This practical guide can be downloaded from the Department for Work and Pensions website.
For more details or find out where we are situated please contact us.
