How to obtain a death certificate

1. Register the death

To obtain a death certificate, you must first register the death. This must be done within 5 days of the death (8 days if you are in Scotland). The process involves visiting the local register office where the death occurred.

When you visit the register office, you will need to bring the medical certificate of cause of death (MCCD) certificate, which is provided by a doctor. At the register office, you will need to provide information about the deceased, including their full name, date and place of death, and occupation.

2. Required information

When registering the death, you will need to provide specific details about the deceased:

• Full name and address (including maiden name if applicable)
• Date and place of birth
• Date and place of death
• Most recent occupation
• Marital status, and the name, occupation, and date of birth of their spouse or civil partner
• For children, the full names, occupations, and dates of birth of their parents
• Name and address of their GP
• Benefits status, including details of any pensions

3. Documents to bring

To complete the registration, you should bring the following documents:

• Medical certificate of cause of death (MCCD): provided by the attending doctor.
• Birth certificate: to confirm the deceased’s identity.
• Marriage or civil partnership certificate: if applicable, to provide information about the deceased’s marital status.
• NHS card: if available, to help with identification and medical records.

Having these documents ready will help streamline the registration process and ensure all necessary information is accurately recorded.

4. Obtaining a copy of the death certificate

Once the death is registered, you can purchase copies of the death certificate for a fee, typically around £12.50 per copy.

You can obtain more copies in the following ways:

• Online: visit the gov.uk website, create an account, and order the certificate.
• By mail: download a form from gov.uk or request one from the General Register Office (GRO) by phone. You can then complete the form and mail it in.
• In person: visit the register office where the death was registered to request a copy of the certificate.

It's advisable to obtain multiple copies, as you will need them for various legal and administrative purposes, such as notifying banks, insurance companies, and handling estate matters. Having several copies on hand can save time and make it easier to manage the necessary paperwork during this difficult period.