Registering a death

The registrar will need:

• Date and place of death
• Name and surname of the deceased
• Maiden surname, if the deceased was a woman who had married
• Date and place of birth
• Occupation
• Name and occupation of spouse/civil partner, where the deceased was married or had a civil partnership.
• Usual address
• Whether the deceased was in receipt of a pension or allowance from public funds
• If the deceased was married or had a civil partner, the date of birth of the surviving widow, widower or civil partner.

The deceased's medical card, if available, should also be given to the registrar.

It is most important that the information recorded in the death register is correct. If any mistake is made, for example in the spelling of a name or surname or in the description of the occupation, it will give the relative or other person who registered the death some trouble in putting it right. The person registering the death should check the information in the register very carefully before the entry is signed.

If English is not the first language of the relative or other person registering the death and help is needed, it would be helpful for someone else to be with the next of kin to act as an interpreter when the registrar calls. However, the relative or other person must register the death as a helper cannot register for them.

When you register the death with the Registrar, the registrar will provide you with information on how you can let other government organisations know about the death, so that you do not have to repeat information.