How do I get a copy of a death certificate?

For people who need an official copy of someone's death certificate.

Applies to: England, Wales Last checked against official sources: 6 October 2026

In England and Wales you can order a copy of a death certificate from the General Register Office (GRO) online, by phone or by post.

A standard certificate costs £12.50 and is sent 4 days after you apply, if you have the GRO index reference number.
Without the reference number it costs £3.50 more and is sent 15 working days after you apply.
The priority service costs £38.50 and is sent the next working day if you order by 4pm.
You can also order from the register office where the death was registered.

Different in Northern Ireland

Order from GRONI. A standard certificate costs £15.

Different in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Rules may be different in:

Scotland: Check mygov.scot for Scotland
Northern Ireland: Check nidirect for Northern Ireland

Key facts

Standard: £12.50
Priority: £38.50
Sent 4 days after you apply
NI standard: £15

What you need before you order

The most useful thing to have is the GRO index reference number.

The GRO index reference is the number for the death in the General Register Office's records. With it, you pay the standard fee. Without it, the GRO has to search the records for you, so you pay a search fee too and wait longer.

You will need a debit or credit card to pay online or by phone.

How to order in England and Wales

Online. Register on the GRO website. This takes about 10 minutes. Then fill in the order form and pay by card.
By phone. Call 0300 123 1837, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. Textphone users can call 18001 0300 123 1837.
By post. Fill in the GRO certificate application form and send it to General Register Office, PO Box 2, Southport PR8 2JD.
At a register office. You can order from the local register office where the death was registered.

Costs and how long it takes

Service	Cost	When it is sent
Standard, with GRO index reference	£12.50	4 days after you apply
Standard, without reference	£16.00 (£12.50 plus £3.50 search fee)	15 working days after you apply
Priority	£38.50	Next working day if you order by 4pm

Example

You need two copies to send to a bank and a pension provider, and you have the GRO index reference. Two standard copies cost £12.50 each, so £25 in total. They are sent 4 days after you apply.

Things to know

If you are not sure of the exact details, the GRO can search its records for you, but you pay the £3.50 search fee and wait longer.
You can also go to the local register office where the death was registered.

If you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland has its own General Register Office (GRONI):

Northern Ireland service	Cost
Standard certificate	£15
Extra copies of the same certificate ordered at the same time	£8 each

GRONI aims to send most standard orders by the fifth full working day after it gets your application. A faster priority service is also available. You can order online, by phone on 0300 200 7890, by post, or in person at Colby House in Belfast. Standard UK postage is included.

Scotland has a separate system run by National Records of Scotland. Most certificates (called extracts) can be ordered online. You need the person's full name, the year of death and where it happened.

Related guides

Where this comes from

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

Order a certificate from GRO

Common questions

What is a GRO index reference number?

It is a reference for the death in the GRO's index. If you have it you pay the standard £12.50, and if not you pay a £3.50 search fee as well.

Can I order a death certificate by phone?

Yes. Call the General Register Office on 0300 123 1837, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.

How much is a death certificate in Northern Ireland?

A standard certificate costs £15. Extra copies of the same certificate ordered at the same time cost £8 each.

Official sources

1.Order a copy of a birth, death or marriage certificatewww.gov.uk/order-copy-birth-death-marriage-certificate
2.Ordering life event certificates (nidirect)www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/ordering-life-event-certificates

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

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