How to Register a Death

Registering a death is one of the first things that needs to happen after someone dies. It must be done within 5 days of the death (or 8 days in Scotland).

Who can register a death?

The death can be registered by:

• A relative of the deceased
• Someone present at the death
• The occupier of the building where the death occurred
• The person arranging the funeral (though relatives take priority)

Where to register

You must register the death at the register office for the area where the person died, not where they lived. You can make an appointment online or by phone.

What to bring

• The medical certificate of cause of death (from the doctor or hospital)
• If possible, the deceased's birth certificate, marriage certificate, and NHS medical card
• Proof of the deceased's address
• Any benefits documentation

What happens at the appointment

The registrar will ask about:

• The deceased's full name and any previous names
• Date and place of birth
• Last address
• Occupation (and spouse's occupation if married)
• Whether they were receiving a pension or benefits
• Date of birth of surviving spouse (if applicable)

What you'll receive

After registration, you'll receive:

• A certificate for burial or cremation (the "green form") - free
• A certificate of registration (BD8 form) for benefits - free
• Death certificates - currently £11 each. Order several - you'll need them for probate and other purposes

Tell Us Once service

The registrar can set up the Tell Us Once service, which notifies multiple government departments about the death in one go. This includes HMRC, DWP, DVLA, and the Passport Office. It saves you having to contact each organisation separately. See our Probate Directory for a full list of organisations you may need to contact.

Registering the death is just one of several steps you will need to take. For a complete checklist of what to do when someone dies, see our full guide.