How to Register a Death in the UK

Why Registering a Death Is Important

Registering a death is a legal requirement in the UK and is the formal process through which the state records that a person has died. Without registration, you cannot obtain the death certificates needed to settle the estate, claim life insurance, or instruct a funeral director to proceed with cremation. It is one of the first practical steps that must be taken after a death.

The process differs slightly between England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, though the principles are the same. This guide focuses primarily on the process in England and Wales, with key differences for Scotland and Northern Ireland noted.

Time Limits for Registering a Death

The legal time limits for registering a death are:

• England and Wales – within five days of the date of death (not the date you obtain the medical certificate). The deadline may be extended if the death has been referred to the coroner.
• Scotland – within eight days of the date of death.
• Northern Ireland – within five days of the date of death.

If the death is referred to the coroner (for example, because the cause of death is unknown or the death was sudden and unexplained), you cannot register the death until the coroner has given authority for registration to proceed. The coroner's office will advise you on timing.

Where to Register the Death

In England and Wales, you must register the death at the register office for the district in which the person died — not the district where they lived, if these are different. If the death occurred in a hospital, the hospital's bereavement office will advise you on the correct register office.

You can visit any register office in England and Wales to declare the death if you cannot get to the one in the registration district where the death occurred, but the declaration will then be sent to the correct district to be formally registered. This is called registering by declaration.

In Scotland, registration is at the district register office for the area where the death occurred. In Northern Ireland, at the local District Registration Office.

Who Can Register a Death?

In England and Wales, the death must be registered by a person known legally as a qualified informant. The following people can act as qualified informant:

1. A relative of the deceased who was present at the death
2. A relative of the deceased who was present during the last illness
3. A relative of the deceased who is not in the categories above but who lives in the sub-district where the death occurred
4. A person (not a relative) who was present at the death
5. The occupier (or person responsible for managing) the premises where the death occurred, if they have knowledge of the death
6. The person responsible for arranging the funeral

A relative is always preferred; only if no relative is available or willing should a non-relative register the death.

What You Need to Bring

To register the death, you must bring:

• The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) issued by the attending doctor — this is essential and registration cannot take place without it (or coroner's authority)

It also helps to bring as many of the following as possible, though they are not all strictly required:

• The deceased's NHS medical card
• The deceased's birth certificate
• The deceased's marriage or civil partnership certificate (if applicable)
• Any documents showing the deceased's address, National Insurance number, or occupation
• The deceased's passport

You do not need to make an appointment at all register offices, but many now prefer or require one. Check the website of the relevant register office before visiting.

What the Registrar Will Ask You

The registrar will ask you to provide the following information about the deceased:

• Full name (and maiden name if applicable)
• Date and place of birth
• Date and place of death
• Home address
• Occupation (or last occupation)
• Whether they were in receipt of a pension or social security benefit
• If married or in a civil partnership: the name and occupation of the surviving spouse or civil partner

The registrar will record this information in the register and check it with you before you sign. Ensure all details are accurate — corrections to death certificates are possible but require a formal process.

What You Receive After Registration

After registering the death, you will receive:

1. The Death Certificate (BD8 or GRO form)

The Certificate for Burial or Cremation (known as the "green form" in England and Wales) is given free of charge and authorises the burial or cremation to take place. You pass this to the funeral director.

Note: from April 2024, the separate medical referee system for cremation was reformed, and the green form system was also updated. Your funeral director will advise on the current paperwork requirements.

2. Certified Copies of the Death Certificate

These are official copies of the entry in the death register, each bearing the registrar's signature and the official seal. They are what banks, insurers, pension providers, solicitors, and other institutions will require as proof of death.

Each certified copy costs £11 in England and Wales (from April 2024). You should order these at the time of registration rather than ordering them later, when there may be a delay.

How many to order: Most families need between five and ten certified copies. You will typically need one each for: each bank or building society account, each pension provider, life insurance policies, the solicitor handling probate, the deceased's employer, and any investment or savings accounts.

3. A Unique Reference for Tell Us Once

The registrar will give you a unique reference number to use the Tell Us Once service, which allows you to notify multiple government departments in a single step. This saves considerable time and reduces the risk of overlooking a department that needs to be informed.

Registering a Death That Occurred Abroad

If the death occurred outside the UK, the process is more complex. The death must usually be registered in the country of death under local law. You can also register the death with the British authorities (though this is voluntary for UK citizens dying abroad). Contact the British Consulate or Embassy in the country where the death occurred for guidance. See also our guide to what to do when someone dies for broader context.

After Registration: What Happens Next

Once the death is registered and you have the green form, the funeral director can proceed with the cremation or burial. Simultaneously, you should begin notifying financial institutions, government bodies, and other organisations. The Tell Us Once service covers most government notifications; your solicitor or the deceased's bank can advise on estate administration.

For guidance on the next steps in funeral planning, see our full guide to what to do when someone dies.

This guide is provided by the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD), which represents funeral directing businesses conducting over 80% of all UK funerals. Find a trusted NAFD funeral director near you.