How to Obtain a Death Certificate

When someone passes away, obtaining a death certificate is an important step for legal and administrative purposes. A death certificate serves as an official record of the death and is often required for various processes, including settling estates, arranging funerals, and claiming insurance. Here’s a guide on how to obtain a death certificate in the UK.

1. Register the Death

Before you can obtain a death certificate, the death must be registered with the local register office. This must typically be done within five days of the death (or eight days in Scotland).

– Who Can Register: Usually, a close relative, partner, or the person who was present at the death can register it. In some cases, a personal representative or someone with knowledge of the deceased can also register.

– Where to Register: You need to register the death at the register office in the area where the death occurred. You can find your local register office on the government’s official website here https://www.gov.uk/register-offices

2. Gather Necessary Information

When registering the death, you will need to provide certain information, including:

– The deceased’s full name and any previous names

– The date and place of death

– The deceased’s date of birth

– The deceased’s occupation

– The names and occupations of the deceased’s parents

– Your relationship to the deceased

Having this information prepared will make the registration process smoother.

3. Obtain the Death Certificate During Registration

After registering the death, you can request one or several copies of the death certificate.

– Fees: There is usually a fee for each copy of the death certificate. The cost can vary depending on the registration office, but it typically ranges from £4 to £11 for a standard certificate. Additional copies may be available at a reduced rate.

– Immediate Copies: It’s a good idea to request multiple copies, as you may need them for various institutions, including banks, insurance companies and probate.

4. Request Additional Copies Later

If you didn’t request enough copies at the time of registration, you can still obtain additional copies later.

– How to Request: You can order extra copies from the local register office where the death was registered. This can often be done online, by phone or in person.

– Provide Details: When requesting additional copies, provide details such as the name of the deceased, date of death and the registration district.

5. Obtain a Death Certificate for Coroners’ Cases

If the death was referred to a coroner (for example, in cases of sudden or unexplained deaths), it may take longer to obtain a death certificate.

– Coroner’s Involvement: The coroner may conduct an inquest before the death can be registered. Once the inquest is completed, the coroner will issue a certificate for the registration of the death.

– Timing: In these cases, it’s important to wait for the coroner’s decision before attempting to register the death and obtain a certificate.

Conclusion

Obtaining a death certificate in the UK is a straightforward process but requires attention to detail and timely action. Registering the death promptly and requesting multiple copies can help ease the administrative burden during a difficult time. If you have any uncertainties, local register offices can provide guidance and support throughout the process.

Obtaining the death certificate after a loved one has passed away is just the first step of many which need to be taken. Our helpful blog here [ADD LINK] sets out the main steps which need to be taken .

Alexander JLO Solicitors have decades of experience of assisting loved ones on both the practical and legal aspects at, what is usually, a very difficult time. Why not contact us for assistance for free, no obligation consultation and see what we can do to help.

This blog was prepared by Alexander JLO’s senior partner, Peter Johnson on the 11th February 2025 and is correct at the time of publication. With decades of experience in almost all areas of law Peter is happy to assist with any legal issue that you have. His profile on the independent Review Solicitor website can be found here.