• When and where should a death be registered?
• Who should register a death?
• Documents to be produced when registering a death
• Documents issued by the registrar at the time of death registration

When and where should a death be registered?

A death must be registered within 8 days.  A death can be registered either in the registration district where it takes place or in the registration district where the deceased person had a current home address (only if the usual residence is in Scotland).

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Who should register a death?

A death can be registered by:-

• any relative of the deceased;
• any person present at the death;
• the deceased's executor or other legal representative;
• the occupier, at the time of death, of the premises where the death took place; and
• if there is no person as above, anyone having a knowledge of the particulars to be registered.

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Documents to be produced when registering a death

• the medical certificate of cause of death (Form 11) completed and issued by the doctor,
• the deceased's birth certificate, also the marriage certificate (if applicable),
• the deceased's medical card (if available).

If these documents are unavailable, please contact the registrar who will advise.

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Documents issued by the registrar at the time of death registration

• Certificate of registration of death (Form 14).  This should be taken to the Funeral Director;
• Green Form (Form334S1).  This should be completed and sent to the Department of Work and Pensions (formerly the Benefits Agency);
• Extract certificates of death can be purchased on payment of the statutory fee. They may be required for business and financial purposes.

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What if the death occurs abroad?

You should register the death according to local regulations in the country concerned and obtain a certificate of death.  You may also be able to register a death with the British Consul in that country for a fee.  However, there is no obligation to do so.  A record of the death will be sent to Scotland and you will thereafter be able to get a copy from New Register House.

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