Registering a death in the UK

How to register a death

When someone dies there are legal formalities that need to be completed shortly after for funeral arrangements to take place. Cause of death will need to be determined, and this will be carried out either by a Medical Examiner (in England and Wales), a coroner in England & Wales or the Procurator Fiscal in Scotland if the death is unexpected.

The Medical Examiner is a senior doctor who will not have been involved with the care of the deceased. They will determine cause of death and may contact the Next of Kin to discuss this prior to issuing a Medical Certificate Cause of Death (MCCD) certificate. This will instruct the local registration office to allow the death to be registered.

Once the Medical Certificate Cause of Death has been issued the death can be registered.

How long do you have to register a death?

You must register the death with the appropriate local authority. Timeframes and processes vary depending on where the death occurred. The timeframe starts when the Medical Examiner notifies you that the death can be registered.

England and Wales

Timeframe: Within 5 days including weekends and bank holidays (unless the case is referred to a coroner)

Where to register: At a local register office, within the district where the death occurred Find a register office - GOV.UK

You will receive:

• A death certificate once the death has been registered (you may wish to purchase several copies)
• A Certificate for Burial or Cremation (also known as the ‘green form’) which allows the funeral to proceed

If the death is reported to a coroner to determine the cause of death, for example where the death was unexpected or unexplained, the coroner will provide the Funeral Director with either an Order for Burial (Form 101) or a Cremation 6 Form depending on the funeral arrangements being made.

Scotland

Timeframe: Within 8 days including weekends and bank holidays

Where to register: At a registrar’s office, either within the district where the death occurred or where the deceased normally lived Registration - National Records of Scotland (NRS)

You will receive:

• An extract of the death entry (equivalent to a death certificate)
• A Form 14, which authorises burial or cremation. This is sent directly to the Funeral Director.

If the death is reported to the Procurator Fiscal, for example if the death was unexpected or unexplained, registration may be delayed.

For England, Wales and Scotland, you can also go to What to do when someone dies: step by step - GOV.UK for step by step guidance on what you need to do when someone dies.

Northern Ireland

Timeframe: Within 5 days including weekends and bank holidays (unless there is a coroner’s investigation)

Where to register: At a district registrar’s office, within the district where the death occurred District Registrars in Northern Ireland | nidirect

You will receive:

• A death certificate
• A burial or cremation certificate

Northern Ireland has a separate death certification process. You can find detailed guidance and support here: Registering a death with the district registrar | nidirect

Who can register a death?

Registering a death is typically completed by a close family member, however, where this is not possible, there are certain people who can register the death.

We have put together a full list of people who can register a death below:

• Close relative of the deceased
• Relative in attendance during last illness
• A relative living in the district in which the death occurred
• A person present at death
• The person making arrangements with the funeral directors

What do you need to register a death?

Once you have made an appointment with your local registrar, you will need to share as much information on the deceased and death as possible, such as:

• Date and place of death
• Full name of deceased (maiden name if applicable)
• Date and place of birth
• Occupation and home address
• If married, full name and occupation of surviving spouse

We also recommend having the following additional documents:

• Birth Certificate
• Council Tax bill
• Driving License
• Passport
• Marriage/Civil Partnership Certificate, if applicable
• NHS Medical Card
• Proof of address