Registering a death

White lily
When someone dies the doctor who was treating the deceased will issue a medical certificate of cause of death. The person who registers the death must take this certificate to the registrar's office. This must take place within five days of the date of the death. If the death was sudden, it may not be possible for a medical certificate to be issued. If this happens, the death will have to be reported to the coroner. This may lead to a delay in registering the death.

Where to register a death

You can register a death that took place in South Gloucestershire at any of our registrar's offices. These are located at Poole Court in Yate, Kingswood Civic Centre, Frenchay Hospital and Thornbury Outstation, which is at Thornbury Council Offices. You should telephone to make an appointment, or use the "Registrar - make an appointment" link on this page for an on-line booking.  In the event of an emergency, where you need to contact the Registration Service out of normal office hours please use the Council emergency contact number: 01454 868009.

If the death took place outside South Gloucestershire you can still provide us with details. We will pass the information you provide to the registrar for that area. They will register the death and send you a certificate, together with the form for the funeral director.

Who can register a death

  • A relative of the deceased
  • A person present at the death 
  • The occupier of the institution, home or hospital in which the death occurred 
  • The person making the funeral arrangements. This does not include an executor, unless they are also making the funeral arrangements

Documents needed to register the death

You will need to take:

  • The medical certificate for the cause of death (issued by the doctor) 
  • The deceased's medical card

It would be helpful to take:

  • The deceased's birth certificate and marriage certificate (if you have them)
  • The deceased's passport

Information that will be needed

  • The date and place of the death
  • The full names and surname of the deceased together with any other names they have ever used
  • The place of birth of the deceased and their age (or date of birth)
  • The maiden surname of a woman who has married
  • The occupation of the deceased
  • The name and occupation of the deceased's husband or wife or surviving civil partner
  • The deceased's home address, including postcode 
  • The date of birth of any surviving spouse 
  • The deceased's NHS number (from the medical card) 
  • Details of any pensions or allowances paid from public funds to the deceased

It is important that the information provided and the entry in the register is correct. You should check the register before you sign it.

Issue of certificates

Once a death has been registered you will be issued with:

  • A form for the funeral director 
  • A form to send or take to the Department for Work and Pensions with any state pension or benefit books

You may request as many certified copies of the entry in the death register (certificates) as you will need to deal with the deceased's affairs. Each one costs £3.50 if purchased at the time of the registration. This rises to £7.00 immediately after the registration from a current register, then £9.00 after the register is deposited with the Superintendent Registrar. We can accept cash, cheques or postal orders and card payments for certificates.