Give feedback on this page

Q  Where can I register a death?

A  The death must be registered in the registration district where it occurred.

Please telephone the Register Office to make an appointment.

If it is not possible to attend the Register Office in the district where the death occurred, it may be possible to give the details of the death to a Registrar elsewhere in England or Wales. They will forward the information to the Register Office where the death will be registered. Registering a death in this way may unfortunately cause a delay to the funeral, as the necessary paperwork will be sent by post instead of being issued to the person registering.

If there is to be an Inquest, you will not need to attend the Register Office to register the death. You should telephone the Register Office or the Coroner for further advice.

The telephone number for the Coroner in this area is 01978 357775.

Q  Who can register the death?

A  A relative of the deceased.

A person present at the death.

The owner or manager of the hospital or residential home where the death occurred.

Please telephone the Register Office for advice if you are not sure who should register.

Q  What information will I need to register the death?

A  You will usually need a medical certificate of death issued by the Doctor who was treating the deceased.

If a post mortem is held, the Doctor will not issue a medical certificate, but you should check with the Registrar that they have received the necessary paperwork from the Coroner.

You will also need to provide the following information about the deceased:

• Full name and surname, and maiden name if appropriate
• Date and place of death
• Date and place of birth
• Marital status
• Usual address
• Occupation
• If the deceased was a married or widowed woman - full name, date of birth and occupation of her husband
• If available - NHS medical card or NHS number
• Whether the deceased was in receipt of a pension or benefits from public funds. (e.g. Civil Service or Forces pension)

Fees and certificates

There is no fee for registering a death.

The Registrar will give you (free of charge):

• A certificate for burial or cremation, which your Funeral Director will need.
• A certificate for the Benefits Agency in respect of any state pension or benefit the deceased may have been receiving.

You will be able to purchase Death Certificates from the Registrar at any time after registration. These are the certificates you will need for dealing with the estate of the deceased. If you apply at the time of Registration it will cost £3.50 for each certificate.  If it is not in a current Register the fee will be £7.00.

As from 1st April 2008, a same day priority certificate service is available if ordered before 11.00 a.m.:  

Probate enquiries?

Please contact the Probate Service helpline on 0845 302 0900 or log onto www.courtservice.gov.uk