When someone dies, one of the earliest matters to be dealt with is the registration of the death.
A relative of the deceased, someone who was present at the death, or the person who is arranging the funeral, is required by law to register the death.
This must be done within five days, or 14 days if there is a specific problem that you have informed the register office about.
In the event of the deceased having no surviving relatives please contact the register office for further advice.
The registration must take place in the district where the death occurred. If this is not convenient for the informant then arrangements can be made to make a declaration at a register office that is local to them.
An appointment is needed to the Register Office before attending and you will be asked if you have received the medical certificate from the doctor or the hospital.
If the death was sudden it is likely that it will have been reported to the coroner. You will be informed of this decision and notified when you can go ahead and make the appointment to register.
In order to register a death you will need:
- The medical certificate of cause of death issued by the doctor. (No paperwork will be issued to you by a doctor if reported to the coroner).
- The deceased person’s medical card and birth certificate are helpful but not essential.
The information you will be asked to provide:
- Date and place of death;
- Name and surname of the deceased and maiden name if a married lady;
- Date and place of birth;
- Occupation of deceased;
- Name and occupation of spouse if the deceased was married/widowed;
- Date of birth of surviving spouse or civil partner.
The registrar will provide you with:
- A certificate for burial or cremation to hand to the funeral director;
- A certificate of registration of death for social security purposes;
- Information leaflets as required;
- Death certificates for personal matters are available to purchase at the time of registration or at a later date.
