Death registration appointment

Introduction

After someone dies, a medical examiner will check the cause of death to make sure it's accurate. They will be a senior doctor, and they will not have been involved in the care of the person who has died.

The medical examiner's office will then contact you to:

• Explain the cause of death
• Answer any questions you have about this, or the health care provided to the person before they died
• Inform you that you can make an appointment to register the death

If the death has been referred to the coroner, the coroner's office will inform you when you are able to make an appointment to register the death.

• Booking an appointment
• What the registrar needs to know
• What the registrar will give you
• How much does it cost?
• Death Certificates
• Book, reschedule or cancel your appointment

Booking an appointment

You must attend a death registration appointment in person. You can make an appointment at any register office, but the process will be quicker if you attend one in the area where the person died.

You can only book an appointment online if all of the following apply:

• The medical examiner's office have informed you that you can make an appointment to register the death and have waited 24 hours before making an appointment; or
• The coroner's office have informed you that they have completed their investigation and you can register the death
• You are the relative or partner of the deceased, were present at the death, appointed as personal representative of the deceased, or are personally arranging the funeral.
• The death occurred in England and Wales
• You can speak and understand English

If any of the above do not apply, or if an inquest is, or has been, held by the coroner, please contact the Surrey Registration Service.

Urgent burial requirements and Out of Hours support

We understand that certain faiths and cultures have specific and urgent needs when it comes to obtaining a Certificate for Burial or Cremation. During our normal operating hours, from Monday to Friday, the medical examiner will guide you on when to contact us for an appointment and will ensure we are informed of any urgent requirements.

For assistance during weekends and bank holidays, please call the Registration Service directly on 0300 200 1002. Our registration duty manager will be available from 9.00 to 17.00, ensuring that your urgent needs are met promptly, subject to the issue of required paperwork from the medical examiner. We are committed to providing the support you need during this important time.

What the Registrar needs to know

During the appointment, the Registrar will ask you provide the following information:

1. Date of death
2. Place of death
   1. This will be the name of the hospital or nursing home, the name or number of the house, the name of the street and village town for example.
   2. If the death took place in a vehicle - ambulance, or car for example then you need to provide information about the locality of the vehicle when the death occurred and the intended destination.
3. Name and surname of the deceased
   1. This should be the name they were known as at the time of his or her death.
   2. You should also establish if they are known by any other name currently or previously.
   3. You need to record those details together with some notes as to the circumstances to help the registrar ascertain how to record the information in the entry
4. Sex: male or female
5. Maiden surname of woman who has been married or civil partnership
   1. This is the surname in which a woman contracted her (first) marriage or civil partnership.
   2. Date of Birth: Please provide approximate dates if exact date not known.
6. Place of birth
   1. Town and county/London borough or country of birth if born outside UK.
7. Occupation
   1. Provide as much information about their job title relating to the most recent occupation.
   2. Please also record whether the deceased was retired.
8. Marital status
   1. This will be the marital status of the deceased at the time of his or her death.
   2. Single (never married or in a civil partnership), divorced, husband or wife, widow or widower, civil partner or surviving civil partner
9. Spouse/civil partners name and surname
   1. This should be the name and surname of the deceased's spouse or civil partner.
10. Spouse/civil partners occupation
    1. Provide as much information as possible about their job title relating to the most recent occupation and if retired
11. Usual address
    1. This should include the name or number of the house, name of the street and village or town.
    2. Where the death occurred in a hospital the deceased's usual address should be recorded.

12. It would be helpful if you are able to locate the deceased's NHS number, which can be found on their NHS card or prescription (however this is not essential).

13. The Registrar will ask you to read and check all the information on the register page before signing. It is essential that all information, names including spelling and dates are correct, as this is a legal document. If there are any errors in the registration, you will be required to apply for a formal correction, which will incur a charge.

What the Registrar will give you

The registrar will:

• Issue the Certificate for burial or cremation (known as the Green Form) and with your permission, email it directly to the Funeral Director, unless the coroner has issued an Order for burial or a Certificate for cremation already.
• Register you for the Tell Us Once service and give you a reference number, enabling you to inform multiple local and central government departments of the death in one contact.

How much does it cost?

There is no charge for the death registration itself or the Tell Us Once registration.

Death certificates

• No death certificates are issued free of charge.
• The cost for each death certificate is £12.50.
• You can order certificates at the same time as booking your appointment and pay for them using debit or credit card.
• Certificates can also be purchased at the appointment, by debit or credit card.

Corrections to deaths registrations

The Registrar will ask you to check all the information that they have recorded in the register. This is a legal document and therefore it is important that the registration is accurate. Any correction of errors discovered after the registration has been completed, will incur a charge of £83 to £99 as well as the cost of replacement certificates.

What to do after the death

The Surrey Registration Service realises the difficulties you face at this time and we endeavour to provide a sympathetic, helpful and considerate service to you. Our information is intended to offer you help and guidance about some of the things that you need to do from the moment a bereavement occurs, as well as providing details of groups and contacts that may assist you over the next few days and weeks.

You can find further information details and information in our Bereavement Guide.

Book your appointment

Book your appointment