Registering A Death

Before you can register a death, you need to go through some initial steps so that the death is officially confirmed and a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death is issued.

If you haven’t got that far yet, we’ve created this step by step guide to tell you what to do first when someone dies, so you know exactly what you will need to do.

The steps to take vary depending on whether the death occurred at home, a care home or a hospital. And if their death was sudden or unexpected, or if it is a baby or child death.

A Medical Certificate of Cause of Death is required to register the death. Provided a Coroner referral is not required, the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death will be sent to the register office local to the place of death.

A Medical Examiner Officer (if the death occurred at home or in a care home) or the bereavement team (for a death in hospital) will then call you to let you know the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death has been sent.

You can now make an appointment with the Registrar.

You usually need to register a person’s death within five days.

A relative, partner or personal representative of the person who has died will usually register the death.

The death can also be registered by:

• Someone who was present when the death occurred
• An occupant of the house/official from the hospital where the death occurred
• The person making the funeral arrangements.

The next step is to make an appointment at the register office local to the place where the person died to make an appointment.

You can use another office if you prefer, but it may take longer to get the necessary documents which could delay the funeral arrangements.

You must book an appointment in advance. The appointment will take about 30 minutes.

Eastwood Registration Office:
Eastwood Town Council Offices, 120C Nottingham Road, Eastwood NG16 3NP
Book an appointment online or by calling 0300 500 80 80.

For other Register offices in Nottinghamshire, click here.

For other Register offices in Derbyshire, click here

There is certain information and documents that are needed to register a death.

Information about the person who has died:

• Full name and time of death
• Any previous names, including maiden name
• Date of birth
• Place of birth (town and county if born in the UK, or country if born abroad)
• Address
• Occupation
• Full name, date of birth and occupation of a surviving spouse or civil partner is applicable
• Whether they were receiving a state pension or any other state benefits

Documents you will need to take:

• The deceased’s birth certificate, passport or driving licence
• Proof of their address as the registrar will need to see these
• Marriage / civil partnership certificate, if applicable

If possible, also take these documents:

• NHS medical card
• Council Tax Bill
• Proof of address (e.g. utility bill)

The Registrar will issue the following documents to you:

• A death certificate
• A Certificate for Burial or Cremation (called the green form) which is to be given to the funeral director
• Form BD8 relating to the Department for Work and Pensions.
• One ‘Copy of An Entry of Death’ for Bank, Building Society, insurance, solicitor, etc.

You may wish to purchase extra copies of the death certificate to satisfy the requirements of banks, insurance companies and pension providers. A fee is charged for each additional copy, if you need to go back at a later date for more copies, the fee will be increased, so ensure you have enough for your requirements at the time of registration. (Some Registrars only accept Debit/Credit Cards for payment. Cash may not be accepted)

The Registrar will also explain the Government’s Tell Us Once service, which allows you to report a death to most Government offices in one go.