All deaths in England and Wales must be registered within five days of occurring. This period can be extended in exceptional circumstances by arrangement with the registrar. If the coroner is involved, the coroner’s office will contact you to advise when you can register the death.
All register offices ask you to make an appointment to register the death.
If you have the medical death certificate, you will be able to go and register the death, either before or after you have seen us to arrange the funeral.
Who can register a death?
- Any relative or civil partner of the person who has died
- Any person present at the death
- Any person who lives in the house where the death occurred
- The person arranging the funeral (but not the funeral director)
The registrar will give you a green certificate which needs to be given to the funeral director as soon as possible.
Copies of the death certificate for official purposes such as closing a bank account or claiming insurances can be purchased from the registrar.
Tell us once
Tell Us Once is a service that lets you report a death to most government organisations in one go. The registrar can help you with this or will give you the reference number to be able to do this yourself on the Tell Us Once website.
Documents and information you will need for the registrar
- The death certificate (in a sealed envelope)
- The deceased’s NHS medical card if available
- Debit or credit card to pay for copies of the death certificate (if required)
- Proof of your identification as the informant eg driving licence or passport
You will need:
- When you meet the registrar, you should take:
- The full name of the person who has died
Their full address
Details of where the person died and the date of their death
Their date and place of birth
Their occupation (if applicable) - If the person who has died is a married woman you will also be asked for
- Her maiden name
Her husband’s full name and date of birth
Her husband’s occupation (if applicable)
Register Offices
| LUTON ↗ | |
| 6 George Street West Luton LU1 2BJ t: 0300 790 0341 e: [email protected] | Mon to Fri 9.15am – 4.15pm |
| DUNSTABLE ↗ | |
| Grove View Integrated Health and Care Hub Dunstable Bedfordshire LU5 4JD t: 0300 300 8089 | Mon & Wed 9.30am – 4.30pm |
| AMPTHILL ↗ | |
| The Court House Woburn Street Ampthill MK45 2HX t: 0300 300 8089 | Mon to Fri 9.00am – 4.30pm |
| BEDFORD ↗ | |
| The Old Town Hall St Paul’s Square Bedford MK40 1SJ t: 01234 718028 | Mon to Fri 9.00am – 4.30pm |
| BIGGLESWADE ↗ | |
| The Limes 142 London Road Biggleswade SG18 8EL t: 0300 300 8089 | Mon & Thurs – Closed Tues 9.15am – 4.15pm Weds 9.00am – 3.00pm Fri 9.15am – 4.15pm |
| MILTON KEYNES ↗ | |
| Milton Keynes Register Office (North Eighth Street) Civic Offices, 1 Saxon Gate, Milton Keynes MK9 3EJ t: 01908 372101 e: [email protected] | Mon to Fri 9.00am – 5.00pm |
| HEMEL HEMPSTEAD / HITCHIN / HERTFORDSHIRE | |
| For registration in Hertfordshire: t: 0300 123 4045 or click here where you can book an appointment online to register. |
If you are unable to locate the contact details of the local registrar click here and follow the instructions.
A very personal, patient and considered process from the first phone call to when we left the Cemetery. Courteous at all times. Many thanks again for your assistance.
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