Registering

• The medical certificate of cause of death (unless the coroner has issued their document directly to the registrar)

If possible, you can also take the following documents. They’re not all essential but provide much of the additional information you’ll need for the registration. Do not delay registering if you cannot find this paperwork.

• NHS card (also called the medical card)
• Birth certificate
• Driving licence
• Council tax bill
• Marriage or civil partnership certificate (if applicable)
• If possible please take the National Insurance number of the deceased and the number of a surviving spouse or civil partner.
• Passport
• Proof of address (e.g. utility bill)

When you see the registrar, they will be as helpful as they can in registering the death. They will require the following information about the deceased:

• Date and place of the death
• The address of the person
• Their full names (including the maiden name of a married woman). Any former married names or other names by which the deceased was known can also be recorded.
• Where and when they were born (the town or county is sufficient if the exact address is not known). Only the country of origin is required for people born outside the United Kingdom. The country is recorded according to its current name if this is different from how it was known at the date of birth.
• Their occupation
• Details of their wife or husband or civil partner
• Whether they had any government pension or other benefits

While it is not essential, you can also take supporting documents that show your name and address (e.g. a utility bill) but you can still register a death without them.

The registration process can take half an hour.