Registering a death

When must a death be registered

By law you must register a death within five days, unless the coroner is investigating the circumstances leading to the death.

Tell us once service

Salford Register Office has introduced the tell us once service that allows you to report a death just once and tell those parts of central and local government that require informing, about that death. You will be given a unique reference when you register a death and you can then either telephone a central number with your reference or go online and access the system that way. 

The following departments can be informed - Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit, Blue Badge, the Electoral Roll, Libraries, Passport Authority, Pensions and Benefits such as tax Credits, Disability and carers service, Job Centre plus, Overseas health team, DVLA, War Pension Scheme.

Where do I register a death?

A death must be registered in the district that it occurred.

The death must be registered within five days (unless the coroner is investigating the circumstances leading to the death or the registrar says this period may be exceeded).

For deaths in Salford, you must register the death at Salford register office which is located at Salford Civic Centre.

If you are unable to attend at the correct district, you can make a declaration to any other register office in England and Wales. Further information, including a list of register offices, is available on the General Register Office website.

Who can register a death

A relative must always register the death in the first instance.

If there are no relatives, you may register if you:

• were present at the time of the death; or
• you are in charge of making the funeral arrangements: or
• you are an administrator from the hospital (if the person died in hospital)
• you are the manager of a care home (if the person died within that establishment)

What happens at the register office

Documents you need to produce

You must ensure the medical certificate which states the cause of death, or the Coroners’ paperwork if there has been a post mortem, has been sent to the Register Office before you can attend to register the death.

You are no longer required to collect the paperwork from the hospital or doctor and you should therefore not accept this paperwork as it can cause delays with the registration.

In respect of the deceased:

• Identification to prove name, date of birth and place of birth. This may be a passport or full birth certificate.
• If the deceased was married you should also produce the marriage certificate.
• Proof of address should be shown which can include a driving licence, a recent utility bill or council tax bill.
• If you have the NHS medical card for the deceased, you should also show this to the Registrar.

For the person registering the death:

• Identification such as passport or driving licence.
• You also need to bring proof of address for yourself such as a driving licence, council tax bill or recent utility bill.

You should tell the registrar

• The date and place of death
• The deceased's full name and last name (and maiden name where appropriate)
• The deceased's last (usual) address
• The deceased's date and place of birth
• The deceased's occupation and the name and occupation of their spouse
• If the deceased was married, the date of birth of the surviving widow or widower
• Whether the deceased received a pension or allowance from public funds

We will also ask if the deceased is to be buried or cremated, where this is due to take place and who is dealing with the funeral arrangements.

Signing the register

• You will be required to check and sign the register very carefully
• Should you notice a mistake it can be corrected before you sign
• If you notice a mistake after you have signed the register you are now required to pay a fee to apply for a correction:
  • £75 for consideration of a correction which can be authorised and completed by the Register Office
  • £90 for consideration of a correction which has to be sent to the General Register Office.

The registrar who registers the death will give you

• A 'Certificate for Burial or Cremation' (sometimes referred to as the 'green form'), unless the coroner has already issued these documents. These give permission for the body to be buried or cremated. It should be given to your funeral director without delay as without it the funeral (or cremation) cannot take place.
• A Certificate of Registration of Death (form BD8). This is a Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) form and must be completed and taken (or posted) to an appropriate DWP office.

Copy death certifictaes

• If you require certified copies of the death certificate, these may be purchased from the registrar £11 each at the time of registration.
• You may need copies of the death certificate for:
  • Dealing with the will
  • Bank and building society accounts
  • Insurance companies
  • Tax rebates
• Post registration, copy certificates can be applied for online or by post. The cost is £12 each which includes an administration fee of £1).

If you go to a register office outside the district where the death took place to make a declaration to register, the above certificates will be sent to you if you include a cheque or postal order when making the declaration at another office.

Planning a funeral

In this section you will find all the information you need to plan and arrange a funeral.

Planning a funeral