Death - registering.
A death must be registered within five days of its occurrence. This period may be extended in exceptional circumstances and if the Coroner is involved. The registration must take place in the district where the death happened.The main laws governing the registration of deaths are:
- Births and Deaths Registration Act 1953 (as amended)
- The Registration of Births and Deaths Regulations 1987 (as amended)
- The Registration of Births and Deaths (Welsh Language) Regulations 1987 (as amended)
For information about registering a death in Scotland or Northern Ireland, see:
Where and when to register a death
When someone dies, the doctor who was treating the deceased will issue a medical certificate of cause of death to the relatives. You must take this certificate to the Register Office.
Occasionally, if the death was sudden or the doctor treating the deceased is unavailable, it may not be possible for a certificate to be issued. If this happens, the death will have to be reported to the coroner which may lead to a delay in registering the death.
You will need to give the registrar the person's details, which will be recorded on computer and in the death register. You will be asked to sign the register.
We run an appointment system - you will need to call Solihull Connect 0121 704 6099 to make an appointment at one of the following locations:
Solihull Connect, Library Square
Monday 10:00am - 5:00pm
Tuesday 10:00am - 5:00pm
Wednesday 10:00am - 5:00pm
Thursday 10:00am - 5:00pm
Friday 10:00am - 5:00pm
Saturday 10:00am - 1:00pm
Chelmsley Wood Library
Monday 9:15 am - 1:00pm
Tuesday 9:15 am - 1:00pm
Wednesday - closed
Thursday 9:15 am - 1:00pm
Friday 9:15 am - 1:00pm
Registering at a different Register Office
If it is inconvenient for you to register the death in the district where it took place, the information can be given to another Register Office. However, there may be a couple of days delay - you should discuss this with the registrar and your funeral director to avoid any delay to the funeral.
The registrar will record the details on a declaration form and send it to the appropriate register office. Once received, the information will be entered into the death register.
Certificates of the death, which may be ordered and paid for at the time of making the declaration, as well as the document allowing the funeral to proceed, will be posted to you.
Welsh Language
A death registration in Wales may be made in English and Welsh if you give the information in Welsh and the registrar can understand and write Welsh. Otherwise, the registration may be carried out in a different district where there are welsh-speaking registrars, using the declaration procedure as described above.
A death that takes place in England may be registered in English only.
Who can register a death
The informants to a death fall into two slightly different categories depending on whether the death occurred in a house or hospital etc, or elsewhere:
Deaths in a house or hospital etc. -
- A relative of the deceased
- Someone present at the death
- The occupier of the house or hospital, if he or she knew of the death
- Another person living at the house, if he or she knew of the death
- The person making the arrangements with the funeral directors
Deaths elsewhere -
- A relative of the deceased
- Someone present at the death
- Someone who found the body
- A person in charge of the body
- The person who is instructing the funeral director
The majority of deaths are registered by a relative of the deceased. The registrar would normally allow one of the other listed persons to register the death only if there were no relatives available.
Which deaths need to be reported to the coroner?
A small number of deaths have to be reported to the coroner before they can be registered and before the document allowing the funeral to go ahead can be issued.
The following cases would be reported to the coroner:
- Where there is no doctor who can issue a medical certificate of cause of death
- Where the deceased was not seen by the doctor issuing the medical certificate after death nor within 14 days before death
- Where the cause of death is unknown
- Where the cause of death is believed to be unnatural or suspicious
- Where the death occurred during an operation, or before recovery from an anaesthetic
- Where the death is due to industrial disease or industrial poisoning
Once a death has been reported to the coroner, the death cannot be registered until the coroner has decided whether any further investigation is needed. In the vast majority of cases no further investigation is necessary and the registration can be completed straightaway.
Information to be supplied for the registration of a death
- Date and place of death
- Name and surname of the deceased and any other names he/she have been know by
- Maiden surname (for married women)
- Date and place of birth
- Last Occupation
- Name and occupation of husband (for married/widowed women)
- Usual address
- Whether the deceased was in receipt of a pension or allowance from public funds
- If the deceased was married, the date of birth of the surviving widow or widower
The deceased's medical card, if available, should also be given to the registrar.
Mistakes on the register
The information recorded in the death register must be correct. If any mistake is made, for example in the spelling of a name or in the description of the occupation, it will be difficult to correct later. You should carefully check the register entry before signing it.
Language difficulties
If English is not your first language, it would be useful to bring someone who can help you - acting as an interpreter.
However, you must register the death personally - a helper cannot register instead of you.
What certificates will be issued?
Death certificate
After a death has been registered, one or more certificates may be bought at the time of registration or at any time afterwards. Further information about obtaining certificates.
Certificate for burial or cremation
The registrar will issue a certificate for the burial or cremation of the body. This is normally passed to the funeral director by the relative making the arrangements.
A funeral cannot proceed until this certificate is given to the burial authority or the crematorium. If there is a delay to the registration of the death, it is possible for a certificate for the burial of the deceased's body to be issued before registration provided the death does not need to be reported to the coroner. A certificate for cremation cannot be issued before the registration of the death.
If a death has been reported to the coroner, he or she may issue a certificate for burial or cremation where possible.
Certificate for applicable Social Security benefits
A certificate for sending to the Department of Social Security will also be issued by the registrar. The form gives details of the death and an application form for applicable claims.
Taking a body out of England or Wales
If a body is to be taken out of England or Wales, notice must be given to the coroner for the area where the body is lying. Notice is needed to move a body to Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands, as well as abroad. There is no restriction on moving bodies within/between England and Wales.
How to apply
A Form of Notice (form 104) may be obtained from a registrar or a coroner. Any certificate for burial or cremation already issued by the registrar or the coroner must be given to the coroner with the notice.
The coroner will acknowledge receipt of the notice and say when the removal of the body may take place. This will normally be four days after receiving the notice. If it is urgent, you should speak to the coroner personally - it may be possible to allow sooner than the four days.
Further advice about registering a death in England or Wales may be obtained from your local registrar or from:
General Register Office,
Room D209,
Smedley Hydro,
Trafalgar Road,
Southport,
Merseyside, PR8 2HH
Telephone: 0151 471 4805 | Email: registering.deaths@ons.gov.uk
Deaths occurring overseas
There are certain countries where death registrations may be made for British subjects overseas. The British Consul or High Commission may register the deaths and issue certificates.
During the year following the registration, a copy of the entry is sent to the General Register Office.
If you wish to apply for this form of registration, or would like further information, please contact;
Foreign and Commonwealth Office,
Consular and Passport Section,
1 Palace Street,
London SW1E 5HE
Telephone: 020 7238 4567 (am only 09:30 - 12:30)
There are certain countries where a death cannot be registered with the British authorities. There is a high standard of civil registration in these countries, some of which are listed below;
- Ascension Island.
- Australia
- Nevis
- St. Helena
- South Africa
- Turks and Cacos Islands.
- Virgin Island (UK)
- Zimbabwe
- Bermuda
- Canada
- Caymen Island.
- Christmas Island.
- Falkland Island.
- Gibraltar
Council Tax and other payments
You should contact the Revenues Department if the deceased was paying Council Tax or Business Rates or claiming any benefits from us.
Please phone 0121 704 8100 or email revenues@solihull.gov.uk for further advice.
FAQ
Q. I do not agree with the Doctor about the cause of the death. What should I do?
A. You should discuss the matter with the issuing Doctor. If you are not satisfied at that point, contact the Coroner.
Aidan Keith Cotter LL.B., CMD
Her Majesty's Coroner for the City of Birmingham and the Borough of Solihull,
Coroner's Court,
50 Newton Street, Birmingham,
B4 6NE
Business No: 0121 303 4088
Home No: 01827 383 263
Mobile: 07980 312 834
Email: coronercotter@birmingham.gov.uk
Q. I have lost the green form from the funeral director / white form from the DWP. How can I get another?
A. The green form is also known as the Form 9. Please check again to ensure that you have not misplaced the document. If you are still unable to find the form you should telephone 0121 704 8000 to book an appointment. You should bring all documentation issued to you to the appointment.
The white form is also known as Form 344 by the registration service of the BD8 by the DSS. We are not able to issue replacements. You should write to the DSS giving details of the death.
Q. Do I need probate and how do I obtain it?
A. You should contact the probate office to discuss the matter.
Birmingham District Probate Registry
The Priority Courts
33 Bull Street
Birmingham
B4 6DU
Telephone: 0121 681 3400/3414
Email: birmingham.dpr@hmcourts-service.gsi.gov.uk
Contact Details
For more information on registering a death, please contact the Register Office on 0121 704 6099 or email connectcc@solihull.gov.uk