How to register a death
When someone dies, their death must be registered with the local Registrar of Births and Deaths.
Contact Details:
Address: Address: The Register Office, 6a Bugle Street, Southampton
Postcode: SO14 2LX
Telephone: 023 8091 5327
Minicom: 023 8063 3685
Email: registrars@southampton.gov.uk
Fax: 023 8063 3431
Details of service:
When someone dies, their death must be registered with the local Registrar of Births and Deaths.
When should I register a death?
You should usually register a death within five days. The registrar may agree to delay this. The doctor who treated the person during their last illness will usually issue a ‘Medical Certificate of Cause of Death’. You must give this certificate to the Registrar for the district where the person died.
What if the death has been reported to the coroner?
The death cannot be registered until the registrar receives the necessary form from the Coroner. In the meantime you should go and see a Funeral Director who will liaise with the Coroners Office on your behalf and tell you when you can register the death.
If the Coroner is holding an Inquest into the circumstances of the death it may be some considerable time before the death is registered.
For more information about the Coroner
Who can register the death?
The death must be registered by a ‘qualified’ informant. Generally this will be either:
- A relative (including by marriage or civil partnership)
- Someone who was with the person when they died
- The occupier of the house or establishment where the person died
- Someone who is arranging the funeral (but not the Funeral Director)
Where should I register the death?
You should register a death with the registrar of Births and Deaths for the district where the person died. If they died in the city of Southampton, you should register their death at the Register Office in Bugle Street.
If you do not live the Southampton area, you can give the information to any other Registrar of Births and Deaths in England or Wales (please telephone them first for an appointment). This is called registering a death by declaration and means that the information you give in the other district will be sent to us. We will then register the death and post the documents to you. Please be aware that this delay may interfere with the funeral arrangements).
Do I have to make an appointment?
It is advisable to make an appointment otherwise you may have to wait a long time to see a registrar. To make an appointment please telephone (023) 8091 5327 during our opening hours.
What are your opening hours?
For opening hours and contact details
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 they died.
- Their full name (and any other name they have ever used)
- Their date of birth.
- Where they were born (usually just the town and county)
- Their occupation (or last occupation if retired)
- Their usual address at the time of death.
If the person who has died was married or had a civil partnership, the registrar will also need to know:
- Any previous names they had
- Their spouse or partner’s name (even if deceased)
- Their spouse or partner’s occupation (or last occupation if retired)
- The Registrar will also ask if the deceased was in receipt of any pension (other than state pension) from Government or public funds eg Civil Service, HM Forces, Teachers, Post Office etc. This information is required so that the Registrar can notify the relevant department directly.
If possible you should give the Registrar the deceased’s Medical Card or National Health Service number.
What documents will the registrar give me?
The registrar will give you a form (BD8) which you should use to inform the Department of Social Security about the death, and a green form which the undertaker will need to arrange the burial or cremation. If the death has been reported to the Coroner, the registrar may tell you that a cremation certificate has already been issued and in this case you will not need a green form. You will be able to purchase any number of death certificates you require.
Is there a charge for registering a death?
There is no charge for registering a death. But you may need to purchase several death certificates to show to solicitor, banks, building societies, insurance companies and other organisations. Certificates cost £3.50 each while the register is still in use and £7 each when the register has been completed and deposited with the Superintendent Registrar.
Places to notify after registering a death
There may be a wide variety of organisations you will need to contact to inform them of the death, some of which are listed below. They may want to see a death certificate.
- Solicitor
- Vehicle registration (DVLA)
- Driving licence
- Passport
- Motor insurance
- Motoring breakdown association
- Household insurance
- Life assurance
- Bank
- Building Society
- Credit card provider
- Utilities (gas, electricity, water,
- telephone)
- Council Tax
- Mortgage company
- Pension providers
- National Savings / Premium
- Bonds
- Share companies
- Benefits Agency
- Social Services
- Inland Revenue
- Employers
- Doctor
- Dentist
- Hospital (clinic)
- Library
- Private health care provider
- Internet provider
- Child(ren)’s school or
- childcare provider
Please note:some motor insurance policies state that a vehicle may be driven by someone else with permission of the owner but when the owner dies permission may cease. You should contact the insurers before anyone drives the vehicle to make sure they are covered.
Last updated: 28 September 2007
