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How to register a death

When someone dies, their death must be registered by the local Registrar.

The doctor who treated the person during their last illness will usually issue a medical certificate of Cause of Death.

You should give this certificate to the Registrar of Births and Deaths for the district where the person died.

If the death has been reported to the Coroner
We will need to wait until we have a certificate from the Coroner. You will be told if this is the case.

Who can register the death?
The following people can register a person’s death:

• A relative
• Someone who was with the person when they died
• Someone who is arranging the funeral (but not a Funeral Director)

• It is possible for other people to register the death in certain circumstances. If you are unsure whether you can register, please telephone the Register Office and they will be able to advise you.

  Where should you register?
  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 Portsmouth, you should register their death at Portsmouth Register Office. The contact number is: 023 92 829041 and the address is: Milldam House, Burnaby Road, Portsmouth, PO1 3AF.

  Registering by Declaration
  If you do not live in the Portsmouth or Hampshire area, or it would be difficult for you to attend this office, you can take the information to any other Registrar of Births and Deaths in England or Wales. The death will not be registered there, but the information will be posted to us and once we have received the details your documents will be sent to you immediately.

  Please be aware that this may interfere with the funeral arrangements

  Do I need to make an appointment?
  Yes, please telephone us during our opening hours of 9.00am to 4.30pm. We have a telephone line dedicated to making appointments only. The telephone number for this is: 023 9275 6597.

  When should I register a death?
  You should usually register a death within 5 days. However, in exceptional circumstances, the Registrar may agree to delay this.

  What information will the registrar ask for?
  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 previous names they used
• Their date of birth and where they were born (usually just the town and county)
• Their occupation – if now retired, the last or main occupation before retirement
• Their address
• Your name and address

• If the person who has died was a married woman, the Registrar will also need to know:

• Her maiden surname
• Her husband’s full name
• Her husband’s occupation – if retired, the last or main occupation before retirement.

• General Information
  The Registrar will also ask if the person who has died was in receipt of any pension or allowance from Government or public funds e.g. Civil Service, Naval Base, Armed Force’s etc.. This will be required so that the Registrar can forward a copy of the death certificate directly to these organisations, so you do not have to do so.

  What documents will I be issued with?
  The Registrar will give you:

• A white certificate (form BD8 Rev) which you should use to tell Social security about the death
• A green form which the Funeral Director will need to arrange the funeral.

• If the death has been reported to the Coroner, the Registrar may tell you that a burial or cremation certificate has already been issued directly to the Funeral Director. If this is the case, you will not need the green form.

  Is there a charge for registering a death?
  No, there is no charge for registering a death. But you may need copy death certificates for informing banks, building societies, insurance companies, solicitor etc. There is a small charge for these copies. The Registrar will advise you of the current fee.

  Please note
  The white form BD8 and the green form for the Funeral Director are the only free forms that you will be issued with.

   

  Contact details:
  
  The Register Office
  Milldam House,
  Burnaby Road,
  Portsmouth
  PO1 3AF
  
  Telephone 023 9275 6597 to make an appointment
  
  The office opening hours are 9.00am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday.