Can I register a death online in the UK?

In most parts of the UK, death registration still requires an in-person appointment at your local register office. However, some register offices in England do offer telephone registration in limited circumstances, such as when the informant cannot attend in person due to illness or disability. Contact your local register office to find out what options are available in your area. Scotland and Northern Ireland may also offer some flexibility in exceptional cases.

What happens if I miss the 5-day deadline to register a death?

If you are unable to register a death within the 5-day deadline (England, Wales, and Northern Ireland) or 8-day deadline (Scotland), contact the register office as soon as possible to explain the situation. If the delay is due to a coroner's investigation, the deadline is automatically paused and you are not penalised. In other circumstances, registrars are generally understanding — particularly during a complex bereavement — but it is important to communicate with them promptly rather than wait.

How many death certificates do I need when someone dies?

We recommend ordering at least 5 to 10 certified copies of the death certificate at the time of registration. You will typically need one original copy for each bank or building society, insurance company, pension provider, and for the probate process. Ordering additional copies later is possible but costs the same per copy and can cause delays when settling the estate. It is far more efficient — and no more expensive per copy — to order generously from the outset.

What is the difference between a death certificate and a green form?

A death certificate (formally a certified copy of the entry in the death register) is an official document used to notify banks, insurers, solicitors, and other organisations of the death. The 'green form' — formally the Certificate for Burial or Cremation — is a separate document issued by the registrar to the funeral director, giving legal permission for the burial or cremation to take place. Both are issued following registration, but they serve entirely different purposes.

What happens if a death is referred to the coroner?

If a death is referred to the coroner — for example, because the cause of death is unknown, sudden, or suspicious — the normal registration process is paused. The coroner will investigate and may order a post-mortem. If the cause of death turns out to be natural, paperwork is issued to allow registration and the funeral to proceed. If an inquest is needed, this can take considerably longer. However, in many cases the coroner can issue an interim certificate so that the funeral does not have to be delayed indefinitely. Your NAFD-accredited funeral director can advise and liaise with the coroner's office on your behalf.

Who is responsible for registering a death if there are no relatives?

If there are no relatives available or willing to register the death, others may act as informant. In England and Wales, this includes a person present at the death, the occupier of the premises where the death occurred (such as a care home manager), or the person making the funeral arrangements — though the funeral director themselves cannot be the informant. In Scotland, this can include any person with knowledge of the death. If there is genuinely no one able to register, the local authority may become involved to ensure the death is properly recorded and the funeral arranged.

How to Register a Death in the UK: What You Need to Know

A step-by-step guide to registering a death in the UK — who can do it, what documents you need, how many death certificates to order, and what happens if a coroner is involved.

Losing someone you love is one of life's most difficult experiences. In the midst of grief, there are practical steps that must be taken — and registering the death is one of the most important. This guide walks you through everything you need to know about registering a death in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, so you can focus on what matters most: being with your family.

Why Registering a Death Matters

In the UK, every death must be formally registered with the local register office. This legal requirement exists to create an official record and to allow the funeral to take place. Without a registered death, a funeral director cannot arrange burial or cremation, and you cannot access the deceased's estate or cancel their accounts and subscriptions.

The good news is that, while the process may feel daunting, it is straightforward — and an NAFD-accredited funeral director can guide you through each stage, helping you understand what is needed and when.

Who Can Register a Death?

Not just anyone can register a death — there are specific rules about who is qualified to act as the informant. The person who registers the death is known as the informant, and they are responsible for providing accurate information to the registrar.

In England and Wales

The following people can register a death, listed in order of priority:

A relative of the deceased
A person present at the death
The occupier of the premises where the death occurred (e.g. a care home manager), if they were aware of the death
The person arranging the funeral (but not the funeral director themselves)

A relative is always the preferred informant wherever possible.

In Scotland

In Scotland, the following people can register a death:

A relative of the deceased
Anyone present at the death
The deceased's executor or legal representative
The occupier of the premises where the death occurred
Any other person who has knowledge of the death

In Northern Ireland

The rules are similar to England and Wales. A relative of the deceased is the preferred person to register, but others present at the death or responsible for the premises may also act as informant.

Where to Register a Death

Deaths must be registered at a local register office — sometimes called the registry office. Crucially, you should register at the office for the area where the death occurred, not where the deceased lived. So if someone died in hospital in a different town from their home, you would register in the district where the hospital is located.

In England and Wales, you can register a death at any register office, but if you use one outside the district where the death occurred, the process takes slightly longer as the details are forwarded to the correct office.

You will need to book an appointment — most register offices no longer accept walk-ins. You can find your nearest register office through your local council's website or via the GOV.UK register office finder.

The Registration Deadline: How Long Do You Have?

There are strict time limits for registering a death, and these differ across the UK nations.

England and Wales: 5 Days

In England and Wales, a death must be registered within 5 days of the date of death. If the death has been referred to a coroner (see below), the 5-day deadline is paused until the coroner has completed their enquiries and issued the relevant paperwork.

Scotland: 8 Days

In Scotland, you have 8 days from the date of death to register. As in England and Wales, this period is paused if the Procurator Fiscal (Scotland's equivalent of the coroner) is involved.

Northern Ireland: 5 Days

In Northern Ireland, registration must take place within 5 days of the death. If the death has been referred to the coroner, you will need to wait for the coroner's documentation before registering.

Important: If registration is likely to be delayed for any reason, inform the register office as soon as possible. They are experienced in handling complex situations and will advise you accordingly.

What Documents Do You Need?

Before your appointment, gather the following documents. The more prepared you are, the smoother the appointment will be.

Essential Documents

The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) — this is issued by the doctor or hospital doctor who attended the deceased. Without this, you cannot register the death (unless a coroner is involved). From 2024 onwards in England and Wales, the MCCD process was updated: it is now submitted electronically to the Medical Examiner, who scrutinises and approves it before it is released to the registrar.
The deceased's NHS medical card (if available)
The deceased's birth certificate (if available)
The deceased's marriage or civil partnership certificate (if applicable and available)
The deceased's passport or driving licence (if available)

Note that you do not need to bring all of these documents — they are helpful but not all are mandatory. The MCCD (or coroner's paperwork) is the essential document. The registrar will tell you in advance what to bring when you book your appointment.

What the Registrar Will Ask You

During your appointment — which typically lasts around 30 minutes — the registrar will record the following information about the deceased:

Full name (and any former names, including maiden name)
Date and place of birth
Date and place of death
Home address at the time of death
Occupation (or former occupation if retired)
Marital or civil partnership status
If married or in a civil partnership: the full name and occupation of the surviving spouse or civil partner
Whether the deceased was receiving a state pension or any other state benefits
The deceased's NHS number (if known)

The registrar will also ask for your details as the informant — your name, address, and your relationship to the deceased.

Be as accurate as possible. Once registered, any errors on the death certificate can be difficult (and sometimes costly) to correct.

Death Certificates: How Many Should You Order?

Once the death is registered, you can purchase certified copies of the death certificate. These are official copies that bear the registrar's seal and can be used for legal and administrative purposes.

A common mistake families make is ordering too few. You will need an original certified copy — not a photocopy — for many of the organisations you need to contact. Photocopies are generally not accepted.

Who Will Need a Death Certificate?

Banks and building societies (one per institution)
The probate registry or solicitor handling the estate
Life insurance companies (one per policy)
Pension providers
The deceased's employer or former employer
HMRC and the Department for Work and Pensions
Mortgage lender or landlord
Utility companies (some accept copies)
Premium Bonds, ISAs, and investment accounts

Our recommendation: order at least 5 to 10 certified copies. Ordering them at the time of registration is significantly cheaper than ordering additional copies later. It may feel like a lot, but running out and waiting for more can cause frustrating delays when settling the estate.

How Much Do Death Certificates Cost in 2026?

In England and Wales, each certified copy of the death certificate costs £12.50. In Scotland, copies cost £10.00. In Northern Ireland, the fee is £15.00. If you need to order additional copies after the initial registration, the same fees apply, but you will need to contact the register office or use the General Register Office's postal service, which can take longer.

The Tell Us Once service is offered by most register offices in England, Wales, and Scotland following registration. This free government service allows you to notify multiple government departments — including HMRC, the DVLA, the Passport Office, and the Department for Work and Pensions — with a single notification, saving considerable time and effort.

What Documents Will You Receive?

After registering, the registrar will provide you with:

Certified copies of the death certificate (however many you have paid for)
A Certificate for Burial or Cremation (commonly called the green form) — this is given to the funeral director to allow the funeral to proceed. In some areas, this is now handled electronically.
A Certificate of Registration of Death (form BD8 in England and Wales) — to be sent to the DWP if the deceased was receiving state pension or benefits (the Tell Us Once service can do this for you automatically)

What If the Death Was Referred to a Coroner?

Not all deaths can be registered immediately. A death may be referred to the coroner (or the Procurator Fiscal in Scotland) if:

The cause of death is unknown
The death was sudden or unexpected
The death occurred during or shortly after an operation, or was related to an injury or accident
The death was violent, unnatural, or suspicious
The deceased had not been seen by a doctor in the 28 days before death (14 days in some circumstances)
The deceased died in custody or state detention

If a death is referred to the coroner, the registration process is paused. The coroner will investigate and may order a post-mortem examination. If the post-mortem reveals a natural cause of death, the coroner will issue paperwork allowing registration to proceed. If an inquest is required — for example, where the cause of death is unclear or requires a hearing — registration may be significantly delayed, sometimes by many months.

This can feel very difficult for families who are anxious to proceed with funeral arrangements. Your funeral director will be able to advise on interim steps, and in many cases, the coroner can issue an interim certificate to allow the funeral to take place while the inquest continues.

An experienced, NAFD-accredited funeral director will have worked with coroners many times and can help you navigate this process with confidence and care.

Online Death Registration: Is It Available?

In most parts of the UK, death registration still requires an in-person appointment at the register office. However, there have been limited pilots and developments in online or telephone registration, particularly following changes introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic.

In 2026, some register offices in England offer telephone appointments in certain circumstances — for example, where the informant is unable to attend in person due to illness or disability. Contact your local register office directly to ask what options are available. Scotland and Northern Ireland similarly allow some flexibility in exceptional circumstances.

It is important to check with your local register office as provision varies. GOV.UK provides an up-to-date register office finder to help you locate the right office and check their current procedures.

A Quick Checklist: Registering a Death Step by Step

Obtain the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death from the attending doctor or hospital
Check whether the Medical Examiner has approved the certificate (England and Wales)
Contact the local register office for the area where the death occurred and book an appointment
Gather supporting documents (birth certificate, marriage certificate, NHS card, passport)
Attend the appointment within the legal time limit (5 days in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland; 8 days in Scotland)
Order at least 5–10 certified copies of the death certificate
Collect the green form (Certificate for Burial or Cremation) for your funeral director
Use the Tell Us Once service to notify government departments
Begin notifying banks, insurers, and other organisations using certified copies

How an NAFD Funeral Director Can Help

Registering a death is just one part of what can feel like an overwhelming list of tasks at an already devastating time. NAFD-accredited funeral directors — all 4,000+ of them across the UK — are bound by a strict Code of Practice and are here to support you at every step. Many families find that their funeral director helps them understand the registration process, liaises with the coroner's office where necessary, and ensures the green form reaches the right place so the funeral can go ahead.

If you haven't yet chosen a funeral director, or would like to find one near you who is independently accredited and trustworthy, our directory makes it simple to find help close to home. Find an NAFD-accredited funeral director near you.

You can also use our funeral cost calculator to get a sense of likely costs and start planning with confidence.