The registration process depends on where the death occurred. In England and Wales, wait for the medical examiner’s confirmation before registering within the stated five-day period. Use the separate Scottish or Northern Irish guidance where applicable. Ask the registrar about missing information or investigation-related delays rather than guessing a deadline.
When do you have to register a death?
The deadline depends on where in the UK the person died. In England and Wales, GOV.UK’s register a death service says you must register the death within 5 days of being contacted by the medical examiner’s office, and that this includes weekends and bank holidays. If you need more time, GOV.UK advises telling the register office straight away.
In Scotland, mygov.scot says deaths should be registered within 8 days where possible. In Northern Ireland, nidirect says a death should be registered within five days so that funeral arrangements can be made, except where the death has been referred to the coroner. In all three systems, a referral to the coroner or procurator fiscal can mean registration happens later, and that is expected.
What happens before you can register: the medical examiner and the MCCD
Before a death can be registered, a doctor has to record the cause of death on a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death, often shortened to MCCD. In England and Wales, a statutory medical examiner system has applied since 9 September 2024. The Department of Health and Social Care’s overview of the death certification reforms explains that every death now receives an independent review, either by a medical examiner or through a coroner’s investigation.
In practice, GOV.UK explains that a doctor confirms the death, which can take a few days, and a medical examiner then checks the cause. The medical examiner’s office may call to talk you through the cause of death, though you do not have to take that call. You must wait for the office to confirm that you can register before you book or attend your appointment. This is why the 5-day clock in England and Wales runs from that contact rather than from the death itself.
In Northern Ireland, the doctor or hospital sends the MCCD electronically to the General Register Office for Northern Ireland, and the registrar may contact you to arrange registration. In Scotland, mygov.scot notes that if the MCCD is selected for review, registration may take 1 to 3 working days longer.
Who can register a death?
In England and Wales, a relative should register the death if they can. If no relative is able to, GOV.UK says you can do it if you were there at the time of death, are an administrator from the hospital where the person died, or are the person in charge of making the funeral arrangements.
In Scotland, mygov.scot lists relatives, anyone present at the death, the executor or a solicitor, and anyone who lived with the person if they died at home. In Northern Ireland, nidirect adds others such as the executor or administrator of the estate, and the person taking care of the funeral arrangements.
What information and documents do you need?
The registrar mainly needs information that you can give in conversation. GOV.UK says you will need to tell the registrar:
the person’s full name at the time of death, and any names previously used, such as a maiden name
their date and place of birth
their last address and their occupation
the full name, date of birth and occupation of a surviving or late spouse or civil partner
whether they were getting a State Pension or any other benefits
The register office may also want to see documents such as the person’s birth certificate, marriage or civil partnership certificate, passport, driving licence, NHS medical card, Council Tax bill or a proof of address. If you cannot find them, do not let that delay you. GOV.UK says to ask the register office what to do, and mygov.scot confirms that in Scotland the registrar can still register the death with only the MCCD.
Where do you register a death?
In England and Wales you can contact any register office, but GOV.UK notes it will be quicker if you use the one in the area where the person died. In Scotland you can register at any registration office in the country, and in Northern Ireland at any district registration office. GOV.UK has a register office finder for England and Wales, and in Scotland each council’s website lists its registration office details.
What do you get when you register a death?
In England and Wales, you will receive a certificate for burial or cremation, usually called the green form. It gives permission for a burial or for an application for cremation, and GOV.UK says to give it to your funeral director, crematorium or burial authority before the funeral. You can also buy death certificates, which are certified copies of the register entry. Banks, pension providers, insurers and the probate process will ask for them.
In Scotland, mygov.scot says you receive a certificate of registration of death for the funeral director and an abbreviated copy of the register entry, with no charge for these. In Northern Ireland, the registrar issues a Certificate for Burial or Cremation to the funeral director.
The registrar can usually also give you a Tell Us Once reference number if the person lived in England, Scotland or Wales. This lets you report the death to most government organisations in one go. Our guide to what to do when someone dies sets out the other steps in order.
How much does a death certificate cost?
In England and Wales, a standard death certificate costs £12.50. The General Register Office fees on GOV.UK (checked October 2026) show £12.50 per certificate when ordered online, sent 4 days after you apply, or £38.50 for the priority service. Register offices charge the same £12.50 when you buy copies at the time of registration, as shown for example on Cheshire East Council’s death certificate fees page.
In Northern Ireland, nidirect says there is no cost to register a death. Short or full certificates bought from the registrar at the time of registration cost £8.00 each. Later copies from the General Register Office cost £15.00 for the first and £8.00 for each extra copy ordered at the same time. In Scotland, extracts ordered after registration carry a fee, so ask the registrar for the current price.
Before buying extra certified copies, ask each bank, insurer or pension provider what evidence it accepts and whether an original is returned. There is no fixed number for every family. Compare those requests with current registration-office charges.
What happens if the death is reported to a coroner?
A death may be reported to a coroner when the cause is unknown, sudden or unexplained. GOV.UK’s coroner guidance explains that if the coroner decides the cause is clear, they send a certificate to the registrar saying an inquest is not needed, and the registrar contacts you to arrange registration. If there is a post-mortem and no inquest, the coroner sends form CN2 to the registrar.
If an inquest is held, the coroner sends the details to the registrar after it ends and the registrar registers the death with no one present. While you wait, you can ask the coroner for an interim death certificate, which you can use to apply for probate and to use Tell Us Once. The Coroners’ Courts Support Service offers free, independent support in England and Wales on 0300 111 2141. In Scotland, a death that needs further investigation is referred to the procurator fiscal, which mygov.scot notes can delay registration beyond 8 days.
Frequently asked questions: Registering a death
Can you arrange a funeral before registering the death?
You can contact a funeral organiser and discuss arrangements before registration. The funeral needs the appropriate burial or cremation authorisation. A coroner investigation can involve a different document route, so confirm with the registrar, coroner or funeral organiser rather than assuming a green form is always the only route.
Do you have to register the death in the area where the person died?
No. In England and Wales you can use any register office, although the one where the person died is usually quicker. In Scotland and Northern Ireland you can register at any registration office in that nation.
How many death certificates do you need?
There is no universal number. Keep a list of organisations and the format each accepts, such as a certified copy or secure upload. This can reduce unnecessary purchases while keeping urgent requests moving.
What happens if you miss the registration deadline?
Tell the register office as soon as you can. GOV.UK advises contacting them straight away if you need more time, and delays caused by a coroner or procurator fiscal referral are part of the normal process.
A working note for your next step
Where the death occurred and the correct registration office.
Confirmation that registration may proceed, or the investigation contact.
Person registering and the information the registrar has requested.
Missing documents or uncertain details to ask about before the appointment.
Funeral authorisation, certificate requests and the separate notification reference.
Appointment example: A family cannot find the person’s birth certificate. They contact the registrar, explain what is missing and ask what to bring. They do not postpone the appointment on the assumption that every document on a suggested list is mandatory.
Does the death certificate close bank or insurance accounts?
No. It is evidence that organisations may request. Each bank or insurer still has its own notification, authority and settlement process. Keep registration and account administration as separate tasks.
Can I correct information after registration?
Contact the registration office promptly if you discover an error. Ask what evidence and correction process apply; do not alter a certificate or supply a self-edited copy to other organisations.
Check the current process: GOV.UK: choose the correct registration route. Next: Continue with government and private notifications.
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Related guide: Post-mortem: consent, results and next steps
