Registering a death

Yes, all deaths in the UK need to registered.

A close family member or relative of the person who has died will usually register the death.

The death can also be registered by:

• Someone who was present when the death occurred
• An occupant of the house/official from the hospital where the death occurred
• The person making the funeral arrangements.

It is free to register a death. There is a charge to receive a copy of the death certificate. The current cost is £12.50 per copy.

You will need to use a register’s office in the area of the person who died. You can find links to our local register offices here.

No, you must attend an appointment in person at a register office.

Yes, you can start arranging the funeral before registering the death. However, the death must be registered before the funeral can occur.

The death will need to be registered in the area where the death occurred, even if the death occurred a distance from home. We have included links to our local register offices or you can use the government’s ‘Find a register office’ service.

Deaths in England, Wales and Northern Ireland should be registered within 5 days. In Scotland, deaths must be registered within 8 days.

You will need the reference code provided by the medical examiner to register a death.

When you attend the appointment, you should take along the birth certificate, marriage / civil partnership certificate (if they were married) and NHS Medical Card for the person who has died – if available.

If a death is reported to the coroner, the documents and process involved in registering a death may be different, depending on the coroner’s decision. The government’s website provides an overview of the requirements depending on the coroner’s decision.

When a death is reported to a coroner (GOV.UK)

You must register a death with the local authorities of the country where the person died.

The British Embassy in that country can help you, and the country-specific information produced by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office provides more information on this.

If the person is being brought back to the UK, you will also need to register the death in the UK at a local register office.