Registration
How do you register a death ?
What information will you need to give the Registrar about the deceased ?
• the date and place of death
• their full name and any other names they are known by , or have been known by , maiden name of a woman who has been married or has formed a civil partnership
• their date and place of birth
• their last occupation ( if the person was married , widowed or had formed a civil partnership , the full name and occupation of their spouse or civil partner )
• their usual address
• the date of birth of a surviving spouse or civil partner .
It is also helpful , but not essential , to provide their NHS number . This can be found on a medical card , prescription , or a letter from a hospital / GP surgery .
From 9 September 2024 , a death cannot be registered until the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death ( MCCD ) has been reviewed by the Medical Examiner and forwarded to the Registration Service . The Medical Examiner or Bereavement Officer will notify the family when this has been done . Once it has been confirmed that the MCCD has been sent to the Registration Service , please call 0345 241 2489 or go online at www . oxfordshire . gov . uk / registration to book an appointment to register the death . The death should be registered within 5 calendar days of the MCCD being sent to the Registration Service by the Medical Examiner . When you book an appointment , you will be able to order and pay for death certificates . These cost £ 12.50 each .
Certificates are often needed by the executor or administrator when sorting out the deceased person ’ s affairs . These need to be original certificates and not photocopies . Any account which needs to be closed or claimed will usually require sight of an original certificate . Most companies will return the certificate so each one can be used multiple times .
Please note that the registrar cannot take payment for certificates during the appointment . These must be ordered in advance if you want to receive them when you attend your appointment . Appointments usually last about half an hour .
In the case of a death reported to the Coroner , you will need confirmation from the Coroner ’ s office that the relevant paperwork has been issued to the Registration Service . Some deaths reported to the Coroner , which require further investigation and an inquest , will be registered in a different way which means you will not need to register this yourself . The Coroner ’ s office will be able to advise you if this is the case . Please see page 10 of this guide for further details .
If you need information on a death that has happened abroad , please visit the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office ( FCDO ) website www . gov . uk ( search FCDO ). Please note – the General Register Office charges a fee to correct any mistakes made in a death entry . To minimise corrections , it is helpful ( but not essential ) if you have the following documents for the deceased with you when completing the registration :
• Birth certificate
• Marriage / Civil partnership certificate ( if relevant )
• Passport ( if relevant )
• Change of name deeds or similar documents ( if relevant ).
4
ADVICE AND HELPLINE :
0345 241 2489