Tel: 023 9282 2251
How to register a death
Last updated: 11 January 2012 10:28 UKWhen someone dies their death must be registered by the Registrar for the district in which the person passed away. You should usually register a death within 5 days. However, in exceptional circumstances, 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 should give this certificate to the Registrar of Births and Deaths for the district where the person passed away.
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 passed away.If they passed away in the City of Portsmouth, you should register their death at Portsmouth Register Office. The contact number is: 023 9275 6597 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, Monday to Friday. The telephone number for this is: 023 9275 6597.What information will the registrar ask for?
The Registrar will need the following information about the person who has died: - The date and place of death
- The forename(s) and surname (and the maiden surname if the deceased was a woman who had married)
- Any other names the person was known as or had previously been known by
- The date and place of birth
- The occupation
- The usual address
- If the person who has died was married, widowed or a civil partner the Registrar will also need to know, the full name, the occupation (if retired, the last or main occupation before retirement) and the date of birth of the husband, wife or civil partner.
General Information
The Registrar will also ask if the person who has passed away 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 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.
- A white certificate (form BD8) which you should use to tell Social Security and the Department for Work and Pensions about the death.
Is there a charge for registering a death?
No, there is no charge for registering a death. But you may need some original death certificates for informing banks, building societies, insurance companies, solicitor etc. These certificates are currently £3.50 each and the registrar can provide as many of these as you need.Please note - There are no free original death certificates issued.
Contact details:
- The Register Office
Milldam House,
Burnaby Road,
Portsmouth
PO1 3AF
- Telephone 023 9275 6597 to make an appointment (Monday to Friday Only)
- The office opening hours are 9.00am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday.
- For emergencies outside of normal office hours on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays only - if you are arranging a funeral to comply with a specific religious burial requirement - please contact 078 5516 6958.
- The Register Office
