How to Register a Death in the UK

Registering a death is a legal requirement in the UK. It needs to be done within a set number of days and takes place at the register office in the district where the person died. Full details are available on the GOV.UK register a death page.

What you need to know

Register within 5 days in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, or 8 days in Scotland
You'll need the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) from the doctor
You'll receive the Death Certificate and a green certificate for burial or cremation
The Tell Us Once service lets you notify government departments in one step

How Long You Have to Register

England and Wales: within 5 days
Scotland: within 8 days
Northern Ireland: within 5 days

Who Can Register a Death

In England and Wales, the following people can register a death:

A relative of the person who has died
Someone present at the death
The occupier of the premises where the death occurred
The person responsible for arranging the funeral

What to Bring to the Register Office

The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (issued by the doctor)
Their NHS medical card (if available)
Their birth certificate (if available)
Their marriage or civil partnership certificate (if applicable)
Their passport or driving licence (if available)

You don't need all of these — only the MCCD is required. But bringing as many as you can will help things go smoothly.

What Happens at the Appointment

A registrar will ask you some questions about the person who has died, including their full name, date of birth, occupation, and last address. The appointment usually takes around 30 minutes.

What You'll Receive After Registering

1
Death Certificate
It's worth ordering several copies (for banks, pension providers, insurers, and so on). There's usually a small fee per copy.
2
Green Certificate (BD8)
Required for burial or cremation. Give this to your funeral director.
3
Tell Us Once Reference Number
This lets you notify government departments (DWP, HMRC, DVLA, and others) in a single step. You can find out more on the Tell Us Once page.

What Happens if a Coroner Is Involved

If the cause of death is unclear or the death was sudden and unexpected, a coroner may need to investigate before the death can be registered. The coroner's office will talk you through what happens next.

Common Questions

In most areas, you'll need to attend the register office in person. Some register offices allow you to book an appointment online, but the registration itself is usually done face to face.

If a coroner is involved, the time limit is paused until they release the MCCD. In other circumstances, contact your register office as soon as possible to explain the situation.

The cost varies by region but is typically around £11 per copy. It's worth ordering several copies at the time of registration, as organisations will often need to see an original.

Related guides

What to do when someone dies

The full guide to what needs to happen, and in what order.

Funeral planning checklist

Everything you need to arrange, broken down into clear steps.

What to do after a funeral

The practical steps that come after, from notifying organisations to handling the estate.

How to register a death in the UK