Registering a death

Summary

You must register a death within five days, unless a coroner is carrying out an investigation into the circumstances. A death should be registered in the registration district where it happened, but if it’s difficult for you to travel to the right register office to register the death, you can go to a registrar in a more convenient place in England or Wales if you like.

Further information

Registry offices

You may need to make an appointment before registering a death. To find your local Registry Offices visit the Directgov website [external link].

What the Registrar will need from you

When registering a death, you'll need to take a medical certificate of the cause of death (signed by a doctor).

You will also need the following information for the registrar:

  • the deceased's full names at death;
  • any names previously used, including maiden surname;
  • the deceased's date and place of birth (town and county if born in the UK and country if born abroad);
  • their last address;
  • their occupation;
  • the full name, occupation and date of birth of a surviving spouse or civil partner;
  • whether the deceased was receiving a state pension or any other state benefits

Documents you will receive

You will then receive:

  • a Certificate for Burial or Cremation, giving permission for the body to be buried or for an application for cremation to be made, and;
  • a Certificate of Registration of Death; issued for social security purposes if the deceased received a state pension or benefits.

This service is free of charge unless you want certified copies of the register.

For more information including registering a Still Birth, or what happens if a coroner is involved, then please follow one of the links below.

External links

Find your local registry office [General Register Office]

Registry offices in Norfolk [Norfolk County Council]

Registering a death [Directgov]
Includes information on who can register a death, still births , what documents you need and what to do if the death is referred to a coroner.

Benefits: Funeral grants [Norfolk County Council]
Gives information on payments made to people who are responsible for arranging a funeral.


About links to other websites.

Contact Norfolk County Council

contact officer/team: General Enquiries
web: online enquiry form
email: information@norfolk.gov.uk
telephone: 0844 800 8020
fax: 0844 800 8012
minicom/textphone: 0844 800 8011
address: Norfolk County Council
County Hall
Martineau Lane
Norwich
Norfolk
NR1 2DH

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Last updated on: 22 March 2007