How To Register a Death

A near relative should attend the Registrar’s Office in the district where the death took place to register the death and sign the official records. This needs to be done within 5 days of the person passing away in the district Register office where it occurred.

If a relative cannot register the death, you can do it if you:

• were there at the time of death
• are an administrator from the hospital (if the person died in hospital)
• are in charge of making funeral arrangements

The register office will tell you what you need to do when you contact them.

The register office may also want to see the person’s:

• birth certificate
• Council Tax bill
• driving licence
• marriage or civil partnership certificate
• NHS medical card
• passport
• proof of address (such as a utility bill)

Ask the register office what to do if you do not have them.

You’ll need to tell the registrar:

• the person’s full name at the time of death
• any names previously used, eg maiden name
• the person’s date and place of birth
• their last address
• their occupation
• the full name, date of birth and occupation of a surviving or late spouse or civil partner
• whether they were getting a State Pension or any other benefits

When you register a death, you’ll get a certificate for burial or cremation (the ‘green form’). This gives you permission for a burial or to apply for a cremation.

You’ll also be able to buy death certificates - these prove the death has been registered. These certificates will be needed for sorting out the persons affairs. You can:

• buy death certificates at the register office when you register the death
• order death certificates online