How do I register a death?

Deadlines

In England and Wales you must register a death within 5 days of being contacted by the medical examiner's office. This includes weekends and bank holidays. In Scotland the limit is 8 days. In Northern Ireland a death should be registered within 5 days, unless it has been referred to a coroner.

If you need more time, tell the register office straight away.

Before you can register

1. A doctor confirms the death.
2. A medical examiner checks the cause of death. This is a senior doctor who was not involved in the person's care.
3. The medical examiner's office contacts you. They explain what they found, answer questions, and confirm you can now register the death.

Who can register a death

A relative should usually register. If no relative can, it can be done by:

• someone who was there when the person died
• an administrator from the hospital
• the person arranging the funeral

What you need

Information the registrar will ask for:

• the person's full name and any previous names (such as a maiden name)
• their date and place of birth
• their last address
• their job
• the name of their husband, wife or civil partner (if any)
• whether they were getting a State Pension or any benefits

Documents to take if you can: birth certificate, Council Tax bill, driving licence, marriage or civil partnership certificate, NHS medical card, passport and proof of address.

Steps to register a death

1. Wait to be contacted by the medical examiner's office.
2. Contact a register office. You can use any office, but it is quicker to use the one in the area where the person died.
3. Give the registrar the information above.
4. Get the certificate for burial or cremation, called the "green form". Give it to the funeral director so the funeral can go ahead.
5. Buy death certificates if you need them.
6. Use Tell Us Once to tell government departments.

Time and cost

You pay for any death certificates you buy. In Northern Ireland there is no fee for registering the death itself.

After you register: Tell Us Once

The registrar will explain Tell Us Once. It lets you report the death to most government organisations in one go, including:

• HM Revenue and Customs and the Department for Work and Pensions
• HM Passport Office and the DVLA
• the local council
• Veterans UK and Social Security Scotland
• some public sector pension schemes

The registrar either does it with you or gives you a reference number. You must use the service within 28 days of getting the number. Tell Us Once does not contact banks, private employers or utility companies, so you need to tell them yourself.

You cannot use Tell Us Once if the person lived in Northern Ireland or permanently abroad.

If you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland

• Scotland: register within 8 days. Tell Us Once is available.
• Northern Ireland: you can register at any district registration office in Northern Ireland, ideally within 5 days. Tell Us Once is not available.

Related guides

• What is Tell Us Once?
• How do I get a copy of a death certificate?
• What do I need to do when someone dies?
• How do I apply for probate?
• Can I get help with funeral costs?

Where this comes from

• Register a death: England or Wales, at home or in hospital (GOV.UK)
• What to do after someone dies (GOV.UK)
• Tell Us Once (GOV.UK)
• Order a birth, death or marriage certificate (GOV.UK)
• Registering a death in Northern Ireland (nidirect)