Registering a death in England & Wales

When the person who has died has been seen by a doctor within 14 days prior to their death, this is the usual procedure for registering their death.

The death will need to be registered within 5 days, and should be done at a registration office in the area (usually the county) where the death occurred. It is possible for deaths to be registered at offices in other parts of the country (a process known as registration by declaration), but experience has shown us that this can be a long and protracted procedure and is really only viable when travel is impossible.

It will be essential to make an appointment to register, so here are some links to the county registration services for Devon, Somerset and Dorset:

https://new.devon.gov.uk/registrationservice/registrationoffices
Central booking phone number for Devon Registration Service: 0345 155 1002

http://www.somerset.gov.uk/births-marriages-deaths/registry-offices/
Central booking phone number for Somerset Registration Service: 01823 282251

https://www.dorsetforyou.com/article/416208/Register-Offices-in-Dorset

Who can register a death?

• A relative of the deceased

• Any person present at the death    

• An adminstrator from the hospital / nursing home where the death occurred

• The person making the arrangements with the funeral director

What you will need to take with you:

1. Medical Certificate of Cause of Death; issued by the family doctor or hospital doctor. 
2. Identification of the person registering the death.

The following documents are also helpful but not essential:

• National Insurance Number, passport, driving licence and medical card of the deceased.

• Birth & Marriage certificates of the deceased

Information that the registrar will need to know:

The deceased's full name (and maiden name if applicable)    
Date and place of birth                        
Date and place of death    
Their usual address    
Their occupation    
Details of Husband,Wife or Civil Partner (full name, date of birth and occupation)
If they were in receipt of a pension        
Details of the person registering the death (name and relationship)

The Registrar will issue you with the following documents:

• A GREEN FORM which is the certificate for Burial or Cremation. This will be required by the Funeral Director.

• A WHITE FORM which is a Certificate of Registration of Death (BD8). This should be completed and posted to Job Centre Plus.

• COPIES OF THE DEATH CERTIFICATE on payment of the statutory fee (currently £4.00). These will be required by financial institutions, insurance companies etc.

Through the ‘Tell Us Once’ scheme, the registrar can also deal with notifying the following agencies:

State Pension
Personal Taxation (HMRC)
Council Tax
UK Passport
Driving Licence
Child Benefit
Children's Services


IF THE CORONER IS INVOLVED

If the death is referred to a Coroner , different procedures will often apply. We will help to liaise with the coroner's office and let you know what you will need to do in each individual case.