After › Registering a death in England and Wales
Registering a death in England and Wales
Registering the death is the one legal step with a short deadline. This page explains who can do it, where to go and what you leave with.
The deadline
GOV.UK says you must register the death within 5 days of being contacted by the medical examiner's office. That count includes weekends and bank holidays. The medical examiner's office will contact you first to confirm you can register. If you need more time, tell the register office as soon as possible.
If the death was reported to a coroner, the process differs. Depending on what the coroner decides, the coroner may send the certificate directly to the registrar, and the death can be registered with no one present. See first steps.
Who can register
A relative should register the death. If no relative can, GOV.UK says someone can do it if they:
- were there at the time of the death
- are an administrator from the hospital (if the person died in hospital)
- are in charge of making the funeral arrangements
Where to go
You can use any register office, but GOV.UK notes it is quicker to use the one in the area where the person died. Many offices work by appointment, so phone first.
What to take
The register office may ask for:
- the person's birth certificate
- their marriage or civil partnership certificate
- their NHS medical card
If you do not have these, ask the register office what to do. They will still register the death if you can give the details below.
What the registrar will ask
- the person's full name at the time of death, and any previous names (such as a maiden name)
- their date and place of birth
- their last address and occupation
- the full name, date of birth and occupation of any surviving or late spouse or civil partner
- whether they received a State Pension or other benefits
What you get
GOV.UK explains that after registration you receive a burial or cremation certificate, often called the green form. Give it to the funeral director, crematorium or burial authority before the funeral. You can also buy death certificates, which prove the death is registered and are needed to sort out the person's affairs. You can buy them at the register office when you register or order them online later.
How many copies?
Many banks, insurers and pension providers ask for an original or certified copy. Some accept a scan or a photo, so ask before you buy dozens. A handful is often enough. We could not confirm the current England and Wales price on an official page we opened, so check the cost with your register office or on GOV.UK. Order a few at registration so you do not have to ask again.
After you register
The registrar will explain Tell Us Once. They will either complete it with you or give you a unique reference number to use online or by phone. You can then arrange the funeral if you have not already begun.
If you cannot register within 5 days
Do not panic. Phone the register office, explain the reason (illness, a long distance, a coroner's delay) and ask what they advise. The office can often arrange a later appointment, or tell you about registering by declaration if you live far away. Ask your office about that option, because we have not confirmed the details on an official page.
Death abroad
A death that happened abroad is registered under the law of that country first. GOV.UK has a section on what to do, including certified translations and what to give a funeral director when the body is brought home.
This is general information, not legal advice. Rules differ between England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and they change. Check the official pages linked at the bottom of each page, and ask a solicitor or Citizens Advice about your own situation. Last checked November 2026.