Death Registration: How & When to Register a Death

At a Glance

Key Details

When and where to register: A death must be registered within 5 days in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (8 days in Scotland). Delays may occur if a coroner is involved. Registration is done in person at the local register office.

What’s needed and what you receive: The registrar records personal details and cause of death, issues a burial/cremation certificate (“green form”), and you can buy certified copies of the death certificate (needed by banks and other organisations).

Other notifications: Registrars often offer the Tell Us Once service, which informs government departments (e.g. DWP, HMRC, DVLA) of the death. Deaths abroad must be registered locally, with an English translation if required, before notifying UK authorities.

Quick Navigation

Register a death at your local register office
What’s involved when registering a death
Documents you will receive after death registration
Notifying DWP
Registering deaths abroad

Registering a Death in the UK: England, Scotland & Northern Ireland

Regulations say that a death should be registered with 5 days in England, Wales and Northern Ireland or 8 days in Scotland. On occasions you may not be able to achieve this because of delays which are not your fault, eg a delay in issuing the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death or the involvement of a coroner or procurator fiscal. Don’t worry if this happens, everyone involved will understand.

Find your local register office by clicking the relevant link below.

You can also call one of our experienced bereavement advisors for free*, on 0800 024 6121 or use our live chat function.

What's Involved When Registering a Death?

How it works: In England and Wales, deaths are registered in person at the local register office (appointment usually 30–40 minutes). The Medical Examiner confirms the cause of death, speaks with the nearest relative, and sends the certificate electronically to the registrar.

This link takes you to information about registering a death in N Ireland

This link takes you to information about registering a death in Scotland

Who registers: Normally the closest relative, though others may be allowed if necessary. Contact the registrar if a relative cannot attend due to illness or other reasons.

What’s needed: Key details include the deceased’s birth, marriage/civil partnership, occupation, address, and spouse/partner’s details (if applicable). ID for the person registering may also be required, but supporting documents are helpful rather than essential.

The following information applies only to England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have significantly different procedures which you can find out about using these links.

This link takes you to information about registering a death in N Ireland

This link takes you to information about registering a death in Scotland

The registration of death records both the personal details of the person who has died and the cause of their death. An appointment usually lasts 30-40 minutes.

When the cause of death is known and from natural causes, the doctor responsible for the care of the person (whether at home, in hospital or elsewhere) informs the Medical Examiner of the cause of death. The role of the Medical Examiner is to confirm that the proposed cause of death is correct or to discuss with the certifying doctor what would be more accurate.

As part of this process, the Medical Examiner, or one of their team (Medical Examiner’s Officer) will speak with the nearest relative of the deceased person to ensure that they understand why the person died and are in agreement. The cause of death will be written in correct medical terminology so this is an opportunity for the relative to ask questions and receive explanations. If the relative has serious concerns about the cause of death, a Medical Examiner can, if necessary, refer a death to the Coroner for formal investigation.

The Medical Examiner is an experienced senior doctor who is usually also working part-time in a position caring for patients and must be from a different team to that which cared for the deceased person. [The introduction of the Medical Examiner role was completed in September 2024 and in early 2025 families are finding that there are some delays as all the professionals involved get accustomed to the new process.]

If you need the funeral to take place quickly for faith, cultural or other reasons, please inform the hospital or GP practice of this.

The Medical Examiner sends the completed Medical Certificate of Cause of Death to the Registrar of Deaths electronically. This certificate is only valid for this purpose so relatives do not receive a copy.

The nearest relative, or their representative, will be notified that they can now make an appointment to register the death.

Deaths have to be registered in person in the area where the death occurred. You can find the location of the registrar using this link

If this is completely impossible due to sickness or inability to travel, please call the register office and they will explain what alternative arrangements may be possible.

The government plans to introduce registration online but this is in the early stages of development.

Who should register a death?

In most cases, it should be a relative that registers the death. However, there are circumstances where others can do so. Please contact the registrar to discover what may be possible in your circumstances.

What details are needed to register a death?

To register a death, you will need to know when and where the person who has died was born, if they have been married and to whom, their occupation as well as their husband/wife/civil partner’s occupation (if applicable) and their most recent address. You can take along relevant documents if you have them, but they are not essential. You may be also asked for proof of your own identity, so take a photographic form of ID.

Documents You Will Receive

Burial/cremation paperwork: After registration you receive the certificate for burial or cremation (“green form”), which gives legal permission for the funeral. A white form is issued for stillbirths, and different documents apply if the body is being repatriated or if a coroner is involved.

Death certificates: Certified Copies of a Death Entry (commonly called death certificates) are needed by banks and organisations. It’s wise to buy several at registration (£12.50 each) to avoid delays – later copies cost more, especially if urgent.

If there’s an inquest: The death cannot be registered until it is complete. Meanwhile, the coroner issues an Interim Certificate or Certificate of the Fact of Death so practical matters can still be managed.

Notifying the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)

All registrars of deaths in England. Wales and Scotland offer the Tell Us Once (TUO) service. In N Ireland you need to contact the government Bereavement Service to inform the Department for Communities which is responsible for benefits.

‘Tell Us Once’ service Some registrars will carry out TUO immediately during your registration appointment. However most will give you a unique code which allows you to do this yourself at a later date. The service notifies the Department for Work & Pensions and His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (tax) and other central and local government departments of the death. You can see which departments are informed here.

If the death is being investigated by the coroner leading to an inquest, you can contact the registrar to obtain a TUO code, even though you cannot yet register the death.

What if the Death Occurs Abroad?

You must register the death according to the regulations in the country where the person died. You need to obtain a local death certificate, which will be accepted in the UK. If the certificate is not in English you may need to obtain a certified translation of the document – search the internet for a provider of certified translations. You will not be able to use the Tell Us Once service so will need to notify government departments individually if needed.