Registering A Death
We talk you through the steps to take below.
Before You Can Register A Death
Before you can register a death, you need to go through some initial steps so that the death is officially confirmed and a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death is issued.
If you haven’t got that far yet, we’ve created this step by step guide to tell you what to do first when someone dies, so you know exactly what you will need to do.
The steps to take vary depending on whether the death occurred at home, a care home, or a hospital. And if their death was sudden or unexpected.
Medical Examiner Will Contact You
The Medical Examiner is an independent senior doctor. Their role is to review the medical records, speak to the treating doctor, and together agree on the wording for the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death.
Within a few days of the death, the Medical Examiner’s office will contact you by phone. They will explain to you what the cause of death will be recorded as or if a coroner referral is required.
You will have the opportunity to raise any questions about the cause of death or the care received. Provided a coroner referral is not required, the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death will be sent to the register office local to the place of death.
A Medical Examiner Officer (if the death occurred at home or in a care home) or the bereavement team (for a death in hospital) will then call you to let you know the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death has been sent. You can now make an appointment with the Registrar.
Where To Go To Register The Death?
You will need to register the death at the office local to the place where the person died.
You can use another office if you prefer, but it may take longer to get the necessary documents, which could delay the funeral arrangements.
Making An Appointment with the Registrar
The next step is to contact the local register office to make an appointment. You usually need to register a person’s death within five days.
You must book an appointment in advance. The appointment will take about 30 minutes.
Birmingham Register Office
Holliday Wharf,
Holliday Street,
Birmingham
B1 1TJ
Tel: 0121 675 2902 / 0121 675 2904 / 0121 675 1004
To book an appointment online, click here.
Sandwell Register Office
Highfields House,
High Street,
West Bromwich
B70 8RJ
Tel: 0121 569 2480 / 0121 569 2880
Email to book an appointment: Registrars_Westbromwich@sandwell.gov.uk
Stourbridge & Halesowen Register Office
Stourbridge Town Hall and Library,
Crown Centre,
Stourbridge
DY8 1YE
Tel: 0300 555 2345
Book an appointment online (Dudley Registrar)
Dudley Register Office
Priory Hall,
Priory Park,
Priory Road,
Dudley
DY1 4EU
Tel: 0300 555 2345
To book an appointment online, click here.
Note: There is also a Registrar at Dudley Council Plus, 259 Castle Street, Dudley, West Midlands DY1 1LQ.
Solihull Register Office
Theatre Square,
Ground Floor,
Theatre Square
Solihull
B91 3RG
Tel: 0121 704 8002
A maximum of two people only
Solihull Connect at The Bluebell Centre
Ground Floor West Mall,
Chelmsley Wood,
Solihull
B37 5TN
Tel: 0121 704 8002
A maximum of two people only
Bromsgrove Register Office
School Drive,
Bromsgrove,
Worcestershire
B60 1AY
Tel: 0845 603 2859
To book an appointment online, click here.
Please only book the appointment once the surgery or coroners’ office have informed you that paperwork has been emailed to Worcestershire Register Office.
Redditch Register Office
29 Easemore Road,
Redditch
Worcestershire
B98 8ER
Tel: 0845 603 2859
To book an appointment online, click here.
Please only book the appointment once the surgery or coroners’ office have informed you that paperwork has been emailed to Worcestershire Register Office.
Who Can Register A Death?
A relative, partner or personal representative of the person who has died will usually register the death.
The death can also be registered by:
Someone who was present when the death occurred
An occupant of the house/official from the hospital where the death occurred
The person making the funeral arrangements
What Information And Documents Are Needed To Register A Death?
There is certain information and documents that are needed to register a death.
Information about the person who has died:
Full name and time of death
Any previous names, including maiden name
Date of birth
Place of birth (town and county if born in the UK, or country if born abroad)
Address
Occupation
Full name, date of birth and occupation of a surviving spouse or civil partner is applicable
Whether they were receiving a state pension or any other state benefits
Documents you will need to take:
The deceased’s birth certificate, passport or driving licence
Proof of their address as the registrar will need to see these
Marriage / civil partnership certificate, if applicable
If possible, also take these documents:
NHS medical card
Council Tax Bill
Proof of address (e.g. utility bill)
What Will The Registrar Give You?
The Registrar will issue the following documents to you:
A death certificate
A Certificate for Burial or Cremation (called the green form) which is to be given to the funeral director
Form BD8 relating to the Department for Work and Pensions
One ‘Copy of An Entry of Death’ for Bank, Building Society, insurance, solicitor, etc.
You may wish to purchase extra copies of the death certificate to satisfy the requirements of banks, insurance companies, and pension providers.
A fee is charged for each additional copy; if you need to go back at a later date for more copies, the fee will be increased, so ensure you have enough for your requirements at the time of registration. (Some Registrars only accept Debit/Credit Cards for payment. Cash may not be accepted.
The Registrar will also explain the Government’s Tell Us Once service, which allows you to report a death to most Government offices in one go.
Let Us Help You
We are here to help you in every way we can. Please call or email us with any questions.
For urgent assistance, call us on 0121 427 2233. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.