How to Register a Death and Obtain a Death Certificate (Before Repatriation)

This information applies to deaths that occurred in the UK and Ireland and is specifically tailored for pre-repatriation arrangements.

Definition: A death certificate is an official document issued by a government agency that serves as legal proof of a person’s death and records details such as the date, time, location, and cause of death.

Why Do I Need to Register The Death?

Registering a death is essential to obtaining a death certificate, which is necessary for repatriation, arranging a funeral, managing bank accounts, settling mortgage matters, and administering the deceased’s estate, including executing their will.

Medical Examiner Review After a Death

When someone passes away, a medical examiner—an experienced senior doctor who was not involved in the deceased’s care—will review the cause of death to ensure its accuracy.

 The medical examiner’s office will then reach out to you to:

• Explain the recorded cause of death.
• Address any questions you may have about the cause of death or the healthcare the deceased received prior to passing.

Participation in this process is entirely voluntary, and you are not obligated to speak with them.

When to Register a Death

The timeframe for registering a death depends on the rules of the respective country:

• England: Within 5 days
• Wales: Within 5 days
• Scotland: Within 8 days
• Northern Ireland: Within 5 days
• Republic of Ireland: Within 3 months

These timeframes include weekends and bank holidays.

Who Can Register a Death

The following individuals are eligible to register the death:

• Next of Kin
• A relative or partner of the deceased
• Someone who was present at the time of death.
• The person responsible for arranging and paying for the funeral
• The occupier or administrator of the establishment where the death occurred, such as a hospital representative if the death took place in a hospital.
• A representative of the deceased, appointed by and acting on behalf of the family.

Not able to register the eath? If you cannot travel to the area where the person died, you may complete a declaration of the death’s details at your local office, which will forward it to the appropriate registration office, causing a delay in finalizing the registration and receiving the burial/cremation form and death certificates.

A local or International funeral director can not do this for you.

Find The Local Register Office

The death must be registered at the Register Office in the area where the person passed away. You can locate the nearest Register Office by searching online or reaching out to your local council.

• Register offices in England and Wales see here
• Register offices in Scotland – see here
• Register offices in Northern Ireland – see here
• Register offices in the Republic of Ireland – see here

We strongly recommend booking an appointment, as some councils do not accommodate walk-ins.

What Information Do I Need to Register a Death?

Details About the Deceased

To register a death, you will need to provide the following details about the deceased:

• Full name (including any previous names, if applicable)
• Date and place of birth
• Date and place of death
• Occupation and last address
• Marital status
• Details of their spouse or civil partner (if applicable)
• National Insurance number
• NHS number (if available)

Supporting Documents for the Deceased

It can also be helpful to bring supporting documents about the deceased, such as:

• Driving licence
• Passport
• Birth certificate
• Marriage or civil partnership certificate
• NHS medical card
• Proof of address (e.g., bank statement or utility bill)
• Information about any government benefits or pensions they were receiving

You don’t need to have all of the above documents to register a death, so don’t worry if some items are unavailable.

Your Details as the Person Registering the Death

Additionally, you will need to provide your own details as the person registering the death:

• Bring your passport or ID
• Your full name
• Your usual address
• Your relationship with the deceased

How Long Does the Appointment Last

The appointment to register a death usually lasts around 30 minutes.