Registering a Death

Information to help guide you as easily as possible through the process of registering a death

• Who can register a death?
• When should I register a death?
• What is needed to register?
  

Telephone: Senior Registrar, Registration of Births, Deaths & Marriages: 01562 820840

Who can register a death?

In the event of a death one of the following persons has a legal obligation to register the death:

• a relative of the deceased
• a person present at the death
• a person arranging the funeral (not the undertaker)
  

In certain circumstances others, such as the administrator of an elderly persons home can register a death, for advice please contact the Register Office.

When should I register a death?

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, a death should be registered within five days of its happening. Registration can be delayed for a further nine days provided the registrar receives, in writing, confirmation that a medical certificate of the cause of death has been signed by the doctor.

What is needed to register?

You have to register a death in the Registration District where the death took place, although it is possible to give a declaration of the details to be registered to a registrar in another area.

You will need to provide the following information about the deceased:

• Full name, surname
• Address
• Date of birth
• Place of birth
• Occupation
• Maiden surname, if applicable
• If the person who has died was a married woman or widow, the full names and occupation of her husband
  

You will need to bring a medical certificate of cause of death issued by a registrar. If the death has been referred to the Coroner, the Coroner's officer will advise you what to do.

If the deceased received a pension or allowance from public funds, eg: Civil service or army pension please inform the registrar.