How to register a death
After a death in England or Wales, you normally have 5 days to register it (8 in Scotland) once the cause has been confirmed. This guide explains the steps gently and clearly, including Tell Us Once.
- Time
- About 30 minutes at the appointment
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Cost
- Low cost
- Steps
- 7
- Checked
What you’ll need
- The person's full name (and any previous names), date and place of birth and last address
- Their last occupation, and details of their spouse or civil partner if they had one
- Whether they got a State Pension or other benefits
- If you have them: birth and marriage certificates, NHS card, passport, driving licence, council tax bill
- Money or a card for death certificates
Safety first
- Don't arrange a funeral date until you know the death can be registered or the coroner has given permission.
Step by step
-
Step 1: Wait for the cause of death to be confirmed
A doctor confirms the death, then an independent senior doctor called a medical examiner reviews the cause. Their office may contact you to explain and answer questions; speaking to them is voluntary. If the death is referred to a coroner, registration may be delayed and the coroner's office will tell you what to do.
Next: step 2 -
Step 2: Book a registration appointment
Contact the register office for the area where the person died. In England and Wales you normally need to register within 5 days of the cause of death being confirmed (8 days in Scotland), including weekends and bank holidays. If you need more time, tell the register office.
Next: step 3 -
Step 3: Check you can register
Usually a relative registers the death. If that isn't possible, it can be someone who was present at the death, someone living in the house where it happened, an official from the hospital or care home, or the person arranging the funeral.
Next: step 4 -
Step 4: Give the registrar the details
The registrar will ask for the information in the list above. Bring documents if you have them, but you can still register without them. Check the entry carefully before signing.
Next: step 5 -
Step 5: Get the green form and certificates
You'll receive a certificate for burial or cremation (the "green form") to give to the funeral director. Buy several death certificates (each £12.50 in England and Wales): banks, insurers and pension providers often want an official copy.
Next: step 6 -
Step 6: Use Tell Us Once
The registrar will usually offer Tell Us Once, which tells most government departments at once, including HMRC, DWP, the Passport Office, DVLA and the local council. You'll get a reference number; use it within 28 days.
Next: step 7 -
Step 7: Contact other organisations
Tell Us Once doesn't cover banks, mortgage lenders, insurers, utility companies or private pensions, so contact these directly.
Tips
- Ask a friend to come with you to the appointment for support.
- Order extra certificates at the time: they cost the same later but take longer to arrive.
When to call a professional
A funeral director can help with arrangements. For the estate, see GOV.UK on probate, and consider a solicitor if the estate is complicated. Organisations such as Cruse Bereavement Support and Marie Curie offer free support.
If someone has died and you're dealing with this now, we're sorry. Take it one step at a time: the register office staff do this every day and will guide you.
Questions people ask
Can I register a death online?
No, you register with the register office. Contact your local office to book and ask how their appointments work.
What if the person died abroad?
You may be able to register with the UK authorities as well as locally. See GOV.UK's register a death abroad guidance.
Sources
Checked 9 October 2026. We wrote this guide in our own words, using:
- GOV.UK: What to do after someone dies: register the death (gov.uk)
- GOV.UK: Tell Us Once (gov.uk)
- GOV.UK: Order a copy of a birth, death or marriage certificate (gov.uk)
- Marie Curie: How to register a death (mariecurie.org.uk)
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