Register the death After a Death

You must register the death at a register office within 5 days in England and Wales (8 days in Scotland). You will need the medical certificate and some details about the person who died.

Registration can be done at any register office, though it is simplest to use the one in the area where the person died.

The registrar will ask you about the person who died — their full name, date and place of birth, occupation, and address. They will also ask about their marital status and, if they were married, their spouse's name and occupation.

After registration, you will receive:
- A green form (for burial or cremation)
- A certificate for the Department for Work and Pensions (form BD8)
- Death certificates (you will usually need several — there is a fee per copy, currently around £11 each)

The registrar can also use the Tell Us Once service to notify government departments on your behalf.

What you will need

Medical certificate of cause of death

The person's birth certificate (if available)

Their NHS number (if known)

Their National Insurance number (if known)

Details of their address, occupation, and marital status

Your own ID (passport or driving licence)

Register the death

What you will need

Your checklist

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