Registering a Death
Where can I register the death?
The death has to be registered at the Register Office for the district in which it took place. For example if the death occurred in Doncaster Royal Infirmary, the registration will be made at Doncaster Register Office.
If it is not possible for you to attend at the office where the death should be registered then you may make a declaration at any Register Office in England and Wales. The death declaration will then be sent to the correct office. The death certificates and other documents will be posted to you, which will cause a delay in you being able to make the funeral arrangements.
At most Register Offices an appointment is required. Please telephone to arrange a convenient time for your appointment.
If it is not possible for you to attend at the office where the death should be registered then you may make a declaration at any Register Office in England and Wales. The death declaration will then be sent to the correct office. The death certificates and other documents will be posted to you, which will cause a delay in you being able to make the funeral arrangements.
At most Register Offices an appointment is required. Please telephone to arrange a convenient time for your appointment.
Who can register the death?
Most deaths occur in a house, a hospital or an elderly persons' home and the law states that a death may be registered by (in this order of preference):
A relative of the deceased
A person present at death
The occupier of the house or institution where the death took place, if there is no known relative who is able to register
The person who is arranging the funeral, that is the person instructing the Funeral Director
A relative of the deceased
A person present at death
The occupier of the house or institution where the death took place, if there is no known relative who is able to register
The person who is arranging the funeral, that is the person instructing the Funeral Director
Is there a time limit to register a death?
In normal circumstances the Registrar must be notified within five days of the date of death. This does not apply when the Coroner is involved (see below).
How long will the death registration take?
The registration takes about 30 minutes if all the necessary information is at hand. In some circumstances the Registrar may have to refer the death to the Coroner. Only
provisional funeral arrangements should be made until the death has been registered and then confirmed when the authority for the funeral has been issued.
provisional funeral arrangements should be made until the death has been registered and then confirmed when the authority for the funeral has been issued.
What information will the Registrar require?
Date and place of death
Full name of the deceased
Maiden name in the case of a woman who has been married
Date and place of birth of the deceased
Occupation of the deceased and in the case of a woman who is married or widowed, the full name and occupation of her husband
The address of the deceased
If the deceased was still married, the date of birth of their spouse
If readily available, the Medical card or the National Health Service Number
Whether the deceased was in receipt of a pension or benefits from public funds
The Registrar will then issue you with a form to take to the Funeral Director (in some cases this will have been issued by the Coroner) which gives permission for burial or cremation (often known as the Green Form). You will also be given another form, which you should take or send to the DSS in respect of the state pensions and benefits.
You will also be able to purchase standard Death certificates, which are copies of the entry in the Register, which you will need for a variety of purposes such as sorting out the will, claiming a pension or unlocking savings from the deceased’s accounts. The number of certificates you need will vary according to how complicated the deceased person's affairs were.
Full name of the deceased
Maiden name in the case of a woman who has been married
Date and place of birth of the deceased
Occupation of the deceased and in the case of a woman who is married or widowed, the full name and occupation of her husband
The address of the deceased
If the deceased was still married, the date of birth of their spouse
If readily available, the Medical card or the National Health Service Number
Whether the deceased was in receipt of a pension or benefits from public funds
The Registrar will then issue you with a form to take to the Funeral Director (in some cases this will have been issued by the Coroner) which gives permission for burial or cremation (often known as the Green Form). You will also be given another form, which you should take or send to the DSS in respect of the state pensions and benefits.
You will also be able to purchase standard Death certificates, which are copies of the entry in the Register, which you will need for a variety of purposes such as sorting out the will, claiming a pension or unlocking savings from the deceased’s accounts. The number of certificates you need will vary according to how complicated the deceased person's affairs were.
When is a death reported to a Coroner?
- A death may be referred to the Coroner for a number of reasons:
- The Coroner may decide that no action is necessary and he will issue a form 100A to the Registrar stating this. You should check with the relevant Register Office to ensure the form has been received and to register the death
- The Coroner may decide to ask a pathologist to carry out a post-mortem. When this happens there will be a delay whilst the cause of death is established. The Coroner will study the pathology report and any other information about the circumstances of the death. The Coroner may decide after considering the pathology report and circumstances of the death to hold an inquest. If the cause of death is unnatural the Coroner may be obliged to hold an inquest. A date will be set for the inquest and this may be some weeks or even months away. During this period of waiting the death cannot be registered, although the Coroner will be able to release the body for the funeral soon after the cause of death is known.
- Where hardship would result from not being able to produce a death certificate, the Coroner can arrange to issue and interim death certificate.
The death was unexpected or the doctor is unsure of the precise cause of death
The Coroner feels that for legal reasons the circumstances of the death require further investigation, for example following an accident
Once the Coroner’s investigations are completed, the death must be registered at the Register Office. In inquest cases, registration can only take place after the inquest has been held. Once a death has been reported to the Coroner one of three things will happen:
Once the death has been registered, death certificates can be obtained by personal or postal application. A telephone call to the Register Office will answer any questions you have about obtaining the certificates.
You may find it helpful to record the coroner's name, address and phone number and register office address and phone number.
Back to Bereavement page
You may find it helpful to record the coroner's name, address and phone number and register office address and phone number.
Back to Bereavement page
