Guidance on how to register a death
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How to register a death
Chapter 15 of the Births, Deaths Registration Act 1953 provides that:
“The death of every person dying in England and Wales and the cause thereof shall be registered by the Registrar of Briths and Deaths for the sub-district in which the death occurred by entering in a register kept for that sub-district such particulars concerning the death as may be prescribed. Provdided that where a dead body is found and no information as to the place of death is available, the death shall be registered by the Registrar of Broths and Deaths for the sub-district in which the body is found.”
The death should be registered within 5 days of the MCCD (Medical Certificate of Cause of Death) being received by the Registrar, unless referred to the coroner.
There is no cost to register a death. However, Death Certificates cost £12.50 each and can be ordered through the Registrar.
The Medical Examiner’s office will send the following to the Registrar:
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The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD)
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The next of kin / representative details
The Registrar will then phone the next of kin/representative to book an appointment to register the death.
You can register a death if you are:
You can register a death if you are:
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A relative
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Were there at the time of death
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You found the body
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An administrator at the hospital, hospice or care home where the person died
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In charge of making funeral arrangements
You will need to tell the Registrar:
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The deceased’s full name at the time of death
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Any names previously used (maiden name, deed poll, etc)
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The person’s date and place of birth
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The person’s date and place of death
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Their last address
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Their occupation
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Their full name, job and date of birth of their spouse or partner if they were married or in a civil partnership
You will need to tell the Registrar:
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The deceased’s full name at the time of death
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Any names previously used (maiden name, deed poll, etc)
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The person’s date and place of birth
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The person’s date and place of death
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Their last address
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Their occupation
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Their full name, job and date of birth of their spouse or partner if they were married or in a civil partnership
Certificate for burial or cremation (the green form)
The green form gives permission for either:
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the body to be buried
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an application for cremation to be made.
Once the death has been registered the form can be emailed by the Registrar to the relevant organisation organising the funeral.
Tell us once
The Registrar will provide a unique reference number for accessing the Department for Work & Pensions Tell Us Once (TUO) Service.
This service allows Local and Central Government departments to be notified of the death at the same time.
The Registrar does not need a National Insurance number, but, it is helpful to have the number when you complete the Tell Us Once service.