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How to Register a Death
How to Register a Death
When someone dies, the death must be registered with the local registrar.
The doctor who treated the person during their last illness will usually issue a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death. This will be given to you by the GP or by the Patients Affairs Officer if the death occurred in hospital.
You must take this certificate to the Registrar of Births and Deaths for the district where the person died.
What if the death has been reported to the coroner?
You should wait to hear from the Coroner's Officer before you go to see the registrar.
Who can register the death?
The following people can register someone's death:
- A relative
- Someone who was with the person when they died
- Someone who lives at the address where the person died
- Someone who is arranging the funeral (but not the undertaker)
Where should you register?
You should register a death with the Registrar of Births and Deaths for the district where the person died.
If the death occurred in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, you should register at the Kingston Register Office. Our address is:
Register Office
35 Coombe Road
Kingston upon Thames
KT2 7BA
If the death occurred in Kingston but it is difficult for you to visit this office, you can take the information to any other register office in England or Wales. They will in turn send the information to us. We call this registering a death by declaration. Please remember that if you register by declaration you may have to wait a few days before you receive the paperwork that you will need to make funeral arrangements and also any other certificates that you may have requested.
Do you have to make an appointment?
You can register a death any time during our opening hours. However, it may be more convenient for you to make an appointment. If so, please ring us on 020 8547 4600 or visit our online diary
Our Opening Hours
Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm.
When should you register a death?
You should usually register a death within five days however the registrar may agree to delay this.
What information will the registrar need?
The registrar will need the following information about the person who has died.
- The date of their death.
- Where the death occurred
- Their full name (including any other names they may have been known by).
- Their date of birth.
- Where they were born.
- Their occupation.
- Their address.
- Your name and address.
Additional Information
- In the case of a married man or widower, the registrar will also record the wife’s full name and occupation.
- In the case of a married woman or widow the registrar will also record the maiden surname and the husband’s full name and occupation.
- In the case of a civil partner or surviving civil partner, the registrar will also record the partner’s full name and occupation.
What documents will the registrar give you?
You will be given a Certificate for Burial or Cremation (also known as the "green form") You should give this to the funeral director who will be arranging the burial or cremation.
If the death has been reported to the Coroner, the registrar may tell you that a cremation or burial certificate has already been issued. If this is the case, you will not need a green form.
The registrar will also give you a certificate (form BD8) which is used for social security purposes. You should complete it and send to your Jobcentre, Jobcentre Plus or Social Security office.
Is there a charge for registering a death?
There is no charge for registering a death. However, you may need copy death certificates for banks, building societies, insurance companies and so on. There is a small charge for these copies (£3.50 per copy)
Advice
For further advice about registering a death, please telephone us on 020 8547 4600
For more information see the 'General Register Office website' and 'What to do after a Death' links below
To obtain an application form for a death certificate please see our application form below.