Registering a Death and Getting a Death Certificate
Registering a death is one of the first formal steps after someone dies, and it has a deadline. Once the medical examiner has reviewed the cause of death, you register at a register office, usually by appointment, and you come away with the documents you need to arrange the funeral and start dealing with the estate. This guide explains who can register, what to take, what you get, and how much extra copies of the death certificate cost.
- ✓You must register within 5 days in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, or 8 days in Scotland, weekends included.
- ✓Usually a relative registers the death; book an appointment at the register office for the area where the person died.
- ✓You'll get a certificate for burial or cremation (the 'green form') so the funeral can go ahead, and a certificate of registration.
- ✓Extra death certificate copies cost £12.50 each in England and Wales, buy several, as banks and other organisations each want their own.
- ✓If the death is referred to the coroner, registration can take longer, the registrar will explain what happens.
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England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland.
When and where to register
The deadline to register depends on where you are:
- ✓England, Wales and Northern Ireland: within 5 days of the death (or of being told you can register)
- ✓Scotland: within 8 days
- ✓These limits include weekends and bank holidays
You normally register at the register office for the area where the person died, by appointment. If that is not convenient you can often go to a different office and have the details sent on, though this can add a day or two before the funeral can be arranged.
Who can register the death
It is usually a close relative who registers. If no relative is available, it can be:
- ✓Someone present at the death
- ✓An administrator from the hospital (if the person died there)
- ✓The person making the funeral arrangements (but not the funeral director)
- ✓Someone who lives in the house where the person died
What to take with you
You do not strictly need all of these, but take whatever you can find about the person who died, it makes the appointment quicker:
- ✓Their full name (and any previous names), date and place of birth
- ✓Their last address and occupation
- ✓Details of any surviving spouse or civil partner, including their date of birth
- ✓Whether they were getting a State Pension or any benefits
- ✓If you have them: their birth certificate, marriage or civil partnership certificate, NHS medical card and proof of their address
What you get when you register
- ✓A certificate for burial or cremation (the 'green form'), which you give to the funeral director so the funeral can go ahead
- ✓A certificate of registration of death (form BD8 or equivalent), often used for benefits purposes
- ✓The chance to buy official copies of the death certificate
If you use the Tell Us Once service, the registrar will give you a reference number to report the death to government departments in one go.
Death certificate copies and cost
A ‘death certificate’ is a certified copy of the entry in the register. In England and Wales each copy costs £12.50 (a few Welsh offices charge slightly less). It is well worth buying several copies at the time of registration.
If the coroner is involved
If a death was sudden, unexplained, or the cause is not clear, it may be referred to the coroner (the procurator fiscal in Scotland). This can delay registration while the cause is investigated, and occasionally an inquest is needed. The coroner's office can issue an interim certificate so you can still deal with some practical matters in the meantime. The registrar or coroner's office will guide you through what happens and when you can register.
Get instant help right now
A Citizens Advice appointment can take weeks. Our free assistant is available 24/7 with no appointment, giving you clear, step-by-step answers about your exact situation, what to do next, and the deadlines that matter.
Need to take action? It can draft a ready-to-send formal letter for you (optional, from £4.99).
England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to register a death?
You must register within 5 days in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, or 8 days in Scotland. These limits include weekends and bank holidays. The clock effectively starts once the medical examiner has reviewed the cause of death and you've been told you can register. If the death is referred to the coroner, it can take longer and the registrar will explain the timing.
Who can register a death?
It's usually a close relative. If no relative can do it, the death can be registered by someone who was present at the death, a hospital administrator (if they died in hospital), the person arranging the funeral (but not the funeral director), or someone who lives in the house where the person died.
How much does a death certificate cost?
In England and Wales, each certified copy of the death certificate costs £12.50 (a few Welsh register offices charge slightly less). There is no charge for registering the death itself. It's worth buying several copies at the time, because banks, insurers, pension providers and others each want to see an original certified copy.
What is the 'green form'?
The 'green form' is the certificate for burial or cremation that the registrar gives you when you register the death. You hand it to the funeral director so the funeral can go ahead. It's separate from the death certificate copies you buy for banks and other organisations.
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