Registering a Death
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Registering a death is one of the first legal steps after someone dies. Once the death has been registered, you can obtain the documents needed for the funeral and begin dealing with the person's affairs.
Before you register
The Medical Examiner's Office will review the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) and usually contact the family to explain the cause of death and answer any questions. Once the MCCD has been approved, it is sent to the Register Office. You do not normally need to collect or take the medical paperwork yourself. If the death has been referred to the Coroner, registration may be delayed while their enquiries are completed.
When should it be registered?
In England and Wales, you should normally register the death within five days of being told that you can register it.
Who can register?
This can usually be:
- A relative or partner
- Someone present at the death
- The person arranging the funeral
- The personal representative of the person who died
The Register Office can advise you if you're unsure.
What will I need?
The registrar will ask for basic information about the person who died, including their:
- Full name and any previous names
- Date and place of birth
- Date and place of death
- Address
- Occupation
- Marital or civil partnership details
Don't worry if you don't have everything. The registrar will guide you.
After registration
The registrar will provide the Certificate for Burial or Cremation, commonly known as the green form, which is sent to the funeral director or relevant authority. You can also purchase certified copies of the death certificate, which you will need when dealing with banks, pensions, insurance and other organisations. The registrar will also explain Tell Us Once, which allows you to notify most government departments about the death in one go.