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Registering the death

How to register a death

Registering the death is the first formal step, and it unlocks almost everything else — the death certificate, the funeral, and notifying government departments. In England and Wales you have 5 days to do it once the medical examiner's office confirms you can register (8 in Scotland). There's no need to rush the same day; a calm appointment in the next day or two is fine.

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Take it one step at a time.

01

Get the medical certificate first

You usually can't register until a doctor has issued the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death. The hospital or GP arranges this, and a medical examiner may review it before it's released — this is normal and can add a short delay. The register office can't see the death until that certificate reaches them, so wait to hear it's ready before you book.

02

Find the right register office and book

Register at the office for the district where the person died — not where they lived, if those differ. Most offices are appointment-only, so phone ahead or book online; you can't usually just walk in. Search 'register a death' on GOV.UK and enter the postcode of the place of death to find the correct office and its booking line.

03

Know who can register

In most cases a relative registers the death. If no relative is available, it can be someone present at the death, an administrator from the hospital, or the person arranging the funeral. You don't need to be the executor or next of kin — one informant attends the appointment and gives the details.

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Take what you can find — but don't delay over missing items

Helpful to bring: the deceased's full name (and maiden name), date and place of birth, last address, occupation, and their NHS number, birth certificate, marriage or civil partnership certificate, and passport if you have them. If some are missing, you can still register — bring what you have rather than postponing the appointment.

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At the appointment — and the documents you walk away with

The registrar records the details, then issues the death certificate (a certified copy of the entry) and the green 'certificate for burial or cremation' that the funeral director needs. They'll also offer Tell Us Once: either completing it with you there, or handing you a unique reference number to use yourself within 28 days.

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Buy several certified copies up front

You'll need to send a death certificate to banks, pension providers, insurers and the probate registry — and many won't accept photocopies. Buying extra certified copies at the appointment is far cheaper and faster than ordering them later. For an estate with a few accounts, around 4 to 6 copies is a sensible starting point.

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A short checklist for this step.

Free to use — nothing to sign up for. Work down it at your own pace.

Checklist · 7 steps

Wait for the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death to be released before booking
Book an appointment at the register office for the district where the person died
Bring the deceased's full name, date and place of birth, last address and occupation
Bring supporting documents if you have them (NHS number, birth/marriage certificate, passport)
Collect the death certificate and the green certificate for the funeral director
Use Tell Us Once, or note the reference number to complete it within 28 days
Buy around 4–6 certified copies of the death certificate at the appointment

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Answered, plainly.

In England and Wales you must register within 5 days of the medical examiner's office confirming you can register, unless the coroner is involved. In Scotland it's 8 days. There's no rush to do it the same day — the deadline only starts once that confirmation arrives, and a short wait for it is completely normal.

If a death is referred to a coroner — for example because it was sudden, unexpected, or the cause is unclear — registration can't go ahead until the coroner releases the paperwork. This can take longer, and it's nothing you've done wrong. The coroner's office will tell you when and how to register, so wait to hear from them.

Most people underestimate this. Each bank, pension provider, insurer and the probate registry may want its own certified copy, and photocopies are often refused. Buying around 4 to 6 copies at the appointment is much cheaper and quicker than ordering them one at a time afterwards.

Tell Us Once is a free government service that notifies several departments of the death in one go — including DWP, HMRC, the DVLA, the Passport Office and the local council. The registrar either completes it with you or gives you a reference number. It's optional but saves a lot of repeated phone calls. You normally have 28 days to use the reference. It isn't available in Northern Ireland.

You generally can't complete the registration itself online — it's done by giving the details to a registrar, usually in person, occasionally by phone where the office allows it. What you can usually do online is book the appointment and, separately, complete Tell Us Once. Always register at the office covering the district where the person died.

A relative is preferred, but if that's not possible it can be someone who was present at the death, a hospital official, or the person arranging the funeral. Only one informant needs to attend. You don't have to be the executor or the closest relative to register.

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Related next steps

↑ OverviewWhat to do when someone dies →→ StepThe first day: what actually needs doing →→ StepTell Us Once: notify government in one go →→ StepArranging the funeral →↓ ToolProbate timeline tool →↓ HelpForm help →

When you're ready

Once the death is registered, the notifying begins. Our free Notification Map gives you the order to tell banks, pensions and providers — so you're not writing each one from scratch. Optional, and only when you're ready.

Notification Map — free

Informational, not legal or financial advice. This guide covers England and Wales; Scotland and Northern Ireland differ. Always confirm current rules and figures at GOV.UK before acting.