How to Register a Death in the UK

Registering a death is one of the first legal steps after losing someone you love.

It can feel daunting, especially while grieving, but the process is straightforward once you know what to expect. This guide explains who can register, what documents you need, where to go, and how long you have in each part of the UK.

📍 Deadlines for Registering a Death

England, Wales, Northern Ireland: Within 5 days (excluding weekends and bank holidays)
Scotland: Within 8 days 💡 If the coroner (or procurator fiscal in Scotland) is involved, the process may be delayed — and that’s okay.

👥 Who Can Register a Death?

Priority is usually given to close relatives, but if no family is available, others may do it.

Eligible people include:

A relative (spouse, parent, child, sibling)
Someone present at the death
The person arranging the funeral
In some cases, the hospital administrator or care home manager

📄 What You Need to Take With You

Bring these documents if you can:

Required:

Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (issued by a GP, hospital, or coroner)

Helpful (but not essential):

The person’s birth certificate
NHS medical card (if available)
Marriage or civil partnership certificate
Passport or driving licence
Proof of address

💡 Don’t worry if you don’t have all of these — the registrar can usually proceed with just the medical certificate.

🏛️ Where to Register

You must register the death at a local register office in the district where the death occurred:

England & Wales:
- By law, the death should be registered at a register office in the district where the person died.
- If it’s difficult to travel there, you can use a different office nearer to you by making a registration by declaration. The registrar will send the paperwork to the district where the death occurred, but this can cause delays in receiving documents.
Scotland:
- You can register the death at any registrar’s office in Scotland.
Northern Ireland:
- The death must be registered at a district registration office in Northern Ireland, usually in the district where the death occurred.

👉 You can find the right office using this tool: GOV.UK – Find a Register Office (https://www.gov.uk/register-offices)

💡 Tip: If you’re unsure, call your nearest register office and explain where the person died. They’ll confirm whether you can register there or need to contact another district.

🪪 What Happens at the Appointment

A registrar will interview you and record the death in the official register. They’ll ask for:

Date and place of death
Full name, date and place of birth
Last occupation (or “retired”)
Address
Marital/civil partnership status
If married: spouse’s name, occupation, and date of birth

💡 The appointment usually lasts 30–60 minutes.

📜 What Documents You’ll Receive

After registration, you’ll usually be given:

Death Certificate (certified copies available for a fee)
- Order several copies (banks, insurers, probate will all need originals).
Certificate for Burial or Cremation (the ‘green form’)
- Required by the funeral director before the funeral can take place.
Tell Us Once Reference Number (England, Wales, Scotland)
- Allows you to notify government departments in one go.

⚠️ Common Issues & Things to Know

If the death was unexpected, the coroner may investigate before registration.
Delays are normal if a post-mortem or inquest is required.
You can’t usually hold the funeral until registration is complete (unless direct cremation is arranged in advance).
Fees for extra certificates vary by region (typically £11–£15 each).

🤝 Help and Support

If you feel overwhelmed:

Ask a family member or friend to attend the appointment with you.
The registrar is trained to support grieving families — don’t worry if you feel emotional.
Charities like Cruse Bereavement Support offer emotional help alongside the practical process.

📌 Key Takeaways

Register within 5 days (England, Wales, NI) or 8 days (Scotland).
Bring the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death.
Register at the local register office where the death occurred.
You’ll receive a death certificate, a burial/cremation certificate, and a Tell Us Once code.
Order multiple copies of the death certificate