Deaths

How do I register a death?

This is always a difficult time but hopefully the instructions below should help make this task as easy as possible.

Is there a time limit to register a death?

In circumstances where the coroner has not been involved you have to notify the Registrar within five days of the date of 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 Hertfordshire, the registration can be made at any of the Register Offices within the county.

If it is not possible for you to attend any of the offices in Hertfordshire 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 may cause a delay in you being able to make the funeral arrangements.

How long will the death registration take?

Usually 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. Therefore 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.

Can I 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

Is the procedure for registering a death different if the Coroner has been involved?

Yes, for further details click on the related link in the box opposite.

What information will the Registrar require?

You will find it useful to write down, or print off these details:

• 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

What documents will the Registrar give me on completing the registration?

The Registrar will 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.

Death certificates

You will also be able to purchase for a fee standard death certificates. These 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. Take as many as you think you might need at this stage because the fees can rise for certificates obtained at a later date.