How to Get a Death Certificate in the UK

There are two documents, and people confuse them constantly:

The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death

The hospital doctor or GP fills this out when someone dies. It records the medical reason for death (heart failure, cancer, pneumonia, etc.). This is not a death certificate. This is given to the family, who pass it to the Registrar.

You don't need multiple copies. One is enough.

The Death Certificate (Certified Copy of an Entry in the Register of Deaths)

The Registrar issues this. It's the official government record of the death. It states:

• The person's full name
• Their date and place of birth
• Their date, time, and place of death
• The cause of death (recorded by the doctor)
• Who reported the death
• When it was registered

This is the document you need multiple copies of. This is what banks, insurers, and every official body asks for.

There are two versions:

Full Certificate (Long Form)

• Contains all the information above
• Includes the name and address of the informant
• Most institutions accept this (and many require it)
• Costs £11 in England & Wales, £15 in Scotland, £8 in Northern Ireland (at registration)

Short Certificate (Short Form)

• Contains name, date of death, and cause of death only
• Doesn't include all the details
• Cheaper but many organisations won't accept it
• You'll end up ordering the full version anyway

Order the full certificate. The short version creates more work, not less.

Before the Registrar issues a death certificate, the death must be registered. This happens in this order:

1. The Doctor Reports the Death

When someone dies in hospital:

• The hospital doctor completes a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death
• This is given to the family or next of kin
• The hospital reports the death to the Registrar on the same day

When someone dies at home or elsewhere:

• The person who found them calls 999 (or the GP if expected death from illness)
• The GP attends and examines the body
• The GP completes the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death
• The GP sends this to the Registrar (or the family collects it)

When someone dies suddenly or unexpectedly:

• The police are called
• The matter is reported to the Coroner
• The coroner's office arranges examination

2. The Family Registers the Death

The informant (usually a family member, or someone present at death) goes to the local Registry Office and registers the death in person. You can't do this online yet.

Find your local registrar: Find a Registry Office (GOV.UK)

You bring:

• The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (from the doctor)
• Proof of the person's identity (passport, driving licence, birth certificate)
• Your own identification

The registration must happen within 5 days of death (England & Wales and Northern Ireland) or 8 days (Scotland).

3. The Registrar Issues the Certificate

On the day of registration, the Registrar gives you one or more certified copies. You can order additional copies at the same time, or come back later to order more.

In England & Wales the price is £11 whether you order at registration or later, so there's no financial penalty for ordering more copies down the line. In Scotland it's £15 either way.

People always underestimate this. Here's a realistic breakdown:

• Bank account(s): 1 copy (often returned)
• Building society: 1 copy (often returned)
• Pension provider(s): 1 copy per provider
• Life insurance/critical illness insurance: 1 copy per policy
• Mortgage company: 1 copy (if applicable)
• Council tax: 1 copy
• Utilities (gas, electricity, water): 1 copy total (shared)
• Car insurance: 1 copy
• Driving licence (DVLA): 1 copy
• Passport (HMPO): 1 copy
• Premium Bonds: 1 copy
• Inheritance Tax return (if required): 1 copy
• Probate Registry (England & Wales): 2 copies
• Sheriff Court (Scotland): 2 copies
• Other organisations: 1-2 copies

Realistic total: 12-18 copies.

Many organisations take weeks to return the certificate. You might need a second copy for different institutions at the same time. It's also common for someone to misplace a copy, or for a solicitor to ask for an additional one.

In England & Wales, 10 copies cost £110 whether you order at registration or later. In Northern Ireland, ordering at registration saves real money (£80 for 10 copies vs £15 + £72 later).

A full death certificate contains:

• The person's full name
• Their date and place of birth
• The date and time of death
• The place of death (home, hospital, etc.)
• The cause of death (as recorded by the doctor)
• The person's occupation
• The name of the informant and their relationship
• The address of the informant
• The date of registration
• The Registrar's name and signature

You can't redact or edit information on a certified copy. You give them the whole document. If an organisation asks for "just the date of death," you still send the full certificate.

If the death was sudden, unexplained, violent, or occurred under unusual circumstances, the coroner gets involved. This complicates the timeline significantly.

How the Coroner Process Works

1. The coroner is notified of the death
2. The coroner's office may request the body for examination
3. The coroner investigates (this can take weeks or months)
4. The coroner either releases the body and closes the case, or opens an inquest

An Inquest Means No Immediate Death Certificate

If an Inquest is opened, you cannot register the death until the inquest concludes. No registration means no death certificate.

Instead, you get an Interim Death Certificate (also called an Interim Certificate of Registration).

Interim Death Certificate

The coroner's office issues this when an inquest is ongoing. It:

• States the person's name, date of birth, and date of death
• Confirms that the cause of death is the subject of a coroner's inquest
• Doesn't state the specific cause of death

Many organisations will accept an Interim Certificate for immediate needs: life insurance companies may pay claims, banks may release funds, and the Probate Registry may accept it. But some institutions demand the full death certificate only.

Timelines with an Inquest

• Coroner investigation: 4-12 weeks typically, sometimes longer
• Inquest hearing: If held, usually within 3-6 months of death
• Final death certificate: Issued within days of inquest conclusion

If a coroner is involved, budget for 3-6 months before you have a final death certificate. Interim certificates bridge the gap.

Ordering by Post

Write to your local Registry Office with:

• The full name of the deceased
• The date of death
• The number of copies you want
• A cheque or postal order

The cost is £11 per copy (England & Wales), £15 (Scotland), or £15 for the first copy and £8 for additional copies (Northern Ireland). Processing time: 5-10 working days, plus post.

Ordering in Person

Visit the Registry Office with your order and payment. Same day or next day issue. Processing time: 30 minutes to 1 hour (depends on queue).

Online Ordering (Limited)

Some local authorities now offer online ordering through the local council website. You pay by card, and they post the certificates. Check your local Registry Office website for their specific process.

1. The Cause of Death on the Certificate Can Be Wrong

The doctor completes the Medical Certificate based on what they believe caused the death. If you disagree with the recorded cause, you can request that it be corrected. The Registrar can amend the record if there's evidence (a subsequent Post-mortem report, for instance). But you have to request this in writing, provide evidence, and the process takes time.

2. If There's a Coroner Investigation, You Might Not Be Able to Arrange the Funeral Immediately

The coroner must release the body before the funeral can happen. With a standard death, this takes a day or two. With a coroner investigation, it can take weeks. The funeral director handles the liaison with the coroner, but this extends the timeline.

3. The Informant's Name and Address Are on the Certificate

The person who registered the death has their name and address recorded on every certified copy. You can't remove this information. It's part of the official record.

4. Some Banks and Insurers Are Difficult About Accepting Certified Copies

A few insurers demand the certificate is certified by a solicitor (a solicitor adds a statement saying "I've seen the original and this is a true copy"). This costs £20-50 per certification. It's rare, but it happens. Ask before sending original documents.

5. In Northern Ireland, Ordering at Registration Is Cheaper

In England & Wales the price is £11 per copy whenever you order. But in Northern Ireland, copies ordered at registration cost £8 each, but ordering later costs £15 for the first copy. If you're in NI, order everything you need on the day.

6. Digital Death Certificates Don't Exist Yet

There are ongoing government discussions about "digital death certificates" or allowing online registration. As of 2026, it still doesn't exist in the UK. You still register in person, and you still receive paper certificates.

7. The Short Certificate Often Creates More Problems Than It Solves

A short certificate is slightly cheaper, but most organisations won't accept it. When you submit it, they ask for the full version anyway. Save yourself the hassle: order the full certificate from the start.

Day 0 (Death occurs)

• Doctor completes Medical Certificate of Cause of Death

Day 1-2

• Family member collects Medical Certificate from hospital or GP

Day 1-5 (England & Wales, NI) or Day 1-8 (Scotland)

• Informant registers the death at local Registry Office
• Registrar issues initial certified copies
• Order 10-15 additional copies at the same time

Day 5-7

• You have 10-15 copies of the full death certificate

Weeks 2-8

• Use certificates as needed: notify banks, pension providers, submit insurance claims, register with Probate Registry or Sheriff Court, cancel driving licence and passport, notify employer, utilities, and council

Most organisations return the certificate after processing. Those that don't, you have additional copies for.

Total: 3-6 months with an inquest, sometimes longer.

• Find your local Registry Office: www.gov.uk/register-offices
• For coroner information: Coroners Court of England & Wales
• For Scottish registration: National Records of Scotland
• For Northern Ireland: NI General Register Office

Order more copies than you think you need. You'll use them, and they're cheaper now than later.

The death certificate is the key that unlocks every administrative task that follows. Make sure you have enough of them before you start. You will need them for everything from arranging the funeral to applying for probate.

If there's a coroner investigation, be patient. You'll get an interim certificate that covers most needs, and the full certificate will follow eventually.

Once you have the death certificate, you can begin:

• Applying for probate (England & Wales)
• Applying for Confirmation (Scotland)
• Understanding your executor duties