When somebody, it can be a time full of many emotions. While we all know that at some point we’ll have to say goodbye to friends and family, nothing can ever really prepare us for when it happens. As well as grieving and processing the death, several practical steps must be taken. One of these steps is registering the death.
In the UK, every death must be registered. While it may seem like a daunting process, there’s support available and staff at registry offices are trained to help you through the process.
In this article, we walk through the steps to registering a death in the UK to help you gain a better understanding of what’s required.
Who can register a death?
Following a recent change in legislation, the deceased’s partner or legal representative can now register a death.
However, in the majority of cases, a close relative of the deceased person will register the death. This may be:
- Spouse or civil partner
- Parent
- Son or daughter
- Sibling
When do you need to register a death?
The death must be registered within five days in England and Wales and within eight days in Scotland, including weekends and bank holidays. In cases where there are delays from the coroner or other official reasons, this timeframe may be extended. Funeral arrangements and probate can not begin until the death has been registered.
Note, the five-day statutory time for registering a death now starts from the notification of death, rather than the date a person died.
Where do you go to register a death?
A death is registered at the register office in the area where the person passed away. You can locate the local register office on the local authority website. Once you’ve found your register office, it’s important that you make an appointment to register the death. You can usually do this either online or over the phone.
What documents and information do you need to register a death?
In order to register a death, you must have the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death, and it must be signed by a doctor. It’s impossible to register a death without this signed certificate, unless a coroner is involved. Other documents that can be helpful if you have access to them are:
- The deceased’s birth certificate
- Their NHS medical card or number
- Marriage or civil partnership certificate
- Driving license or passport
You may not have access to the above documents or the deceased may not have been married or in possession of a driving license or passport. You will need to provide some personal details about them, including:
- Full name and any previous names
- Date and place of birth
- Last address
- Occupation (or former occupation)
- Details of their spouse or civil partner (if applicable)
What happens after you register a death?
Once you register a death, you can expect to receive several documents such as a death certificate, a certificate for burial or cremation and a certificate for social security reasons. It may be worth asking your local registrar if they offer a Tell Us Once service. This allows you to notify government departments of the death in one go, such as HMRC, DVLA and DWP.
Planning goodbyes and celebrating lives
With Fiesta Farewell, planning a funeral or your own celebration of life couldn’t be easier. Complete with online guide, planning checklists and an online directory of trustworthy funeral suppliers, Fiesta Farewell makes funeral planning stress-free and simple.
