It’s a legal requirement to register a death, in person, within five days at the Register Office for the district where the person passed away. However, if the medical certificate hasn’t been issued in time or if the coroner is involved, this isn’t always possible. Please don’t worry if this happens.
Registering a death means giving certain information about the person who died to the register office in the district where the person passed away.
You can register a person’s death if you’re a relative, someone who was with the person when they died, or someone who’s arranging the funeral (but not a funeral director). In some situations, it’s possible for other people to register the death. If you’re not sure, the register office can advise you.
Contact us
To make an appointment, email registrars@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or call 023 9275 6597 (opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 4.30pm).
If you are arranging a funeral to comply with a specific religious burial requirement, or for emergencies outside normal office hours on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays, phone 023 9282 2251.
To apply for financial support towards funeral costs if you are on a low income, contact the Department of Work & Pensions.