Registering a Death

People who have a legal responsibility to register a death include:

• A Relative.
• A person present at the death.
• The occupier of the premises where the death occurred if he/she knew of it happening.
• The person arranging the funeral (this does not include the funeral director).

What information is required when registering a death?

When you attend your appointment to register a death, please ensure you taking the following information with you:

• The medical certificate issued by the doctor treating the final illness of the person who died. Without this certificate the Registrar will not be able to register the death. If the Coroner has been involved the Coroner''s Office will advise you what to do.
• The deceased person''s birth certificate or passport. This is not essential but can be helpful.
• The deceased person''s medical card. Again this is not essential but is helpful if it can be produced.

What will happen at the appointment?

A Registrar of Births and Deaths will talk to you privately at the Register Office and will ask you for:

• The date and place of death.
• The full name and surname of the deceased person (and the maiden surname if the deceased was a married woman).
• The date and place of birth.
• The occupation of the deceased and, if the deceased person was a married woman, the full name and occupation of her husband.
• The date of birth of the surviving husband or wife if the deceased person was married.
• Whether or not the person who died was receiving a pension from public funds.

Once the registration has been completed, the Registrar will ask you to check that all the details are correct before signing the Register. You should check the information carefully before signing. Once you have signed the record, the Registrar will give you:

• A "green form" which will allow you to arrange the funeral. There is no charge for this form. Where the Coroner is involved a different procedure may apply.
• A form for Social Security purposes. There is no charge for this form. At the time of registration a certified copy of the entry in the Register (a death certificate) may be provided at a cost of £3.50 if required. A charge of 50p will be made for all credit/debit card transactions under £50.