Registering a death

The Registration Service will always be sensitive to the needs of grieving families, but the law does require all deaths to be registered. These notes are intended to guide next-of-kin through that process. Your local Registrar will always be pleased to help with further information.

How do I register a death?

A death must be registered where it took place. If the death occurred within the Local Authority area of Shropshire it may be registered at the most convenient service point. The link on this page will show you where your nearest service point is. An appointment should be made by telephoning 0345 678 9016.

If the death has been referred to the Coroner, it can not be registered until the registrar has received authority from the coroner to do so.

The death must be registered within five days unless the Registrar says this period may be exceeded.

The necessary information to register a death may be given to any registrar in England and Wales; but, if you choose to attend an office outside of the local authority area of Shropshire, you will need to attend your chosen Registrar's office to make a declaration of the particulars of the deceased.

This declaration will be forwarded to a Registrar in the district in which the death took place, where it will be registered and the relevant forms will be posted to you. Please note, this process may take a few days to complete.

Is there a charge for registering a death?

The registration process is free of charge, but no certificates are supplied. If any copies of the death certificate are required, they can be ordered at the time of registration, or following it. The following fees apply:

• Copy certificates at the time of registration - £3.50 each
• Copy certificates applied for within one month of registration - £7.00 each
• Copy certificates applied for one month after registration - £9.00 each

For deaths that have already been registered, please follow the Copy certificates application link to find out more information about ordering certificates via our postal or on-line services.

What do I need to take when I see the Registrar?

• the medical certificate of the cause of death
• the deceased's medical card (if possible)
• the deceased's birth and marriage certificates (if available)
• the deceased's disabled parking 'Blue Badge' if they were issued with one
• the deceased's concessionary bus pass if they were issued with one

What will the Registrar ask me?

• the date and place of death
• the deceased's last (usual) address
• the deceased's first and last names (and maiden name where appropriate)
• the deceased's date and place of birth (town and county if born in the UK and country if born abroad)
• the deceased's occupation and the name and occupation of their spouse
• whether the deceased was getting a pension or allowance from public funds
• if the deceased was married, the date of birth of the surviving widow or widower

What will the Registrar give me?

• A certificate for burial or cremation (known as the 'green form') unless the coroner has already given you an order for burial or a certificate for cremation. This should be given to the funeral director.
• A certificate of the registration of death. This is for social security purposes only. Read the information on the back of the certificate. If any of it applies, fill in the certificate and show it to your social security office.
• Leaflets about widows' benefits and income tax for widows, where appropriate.

If you have visited a register office outside of Shropshire to register a death which occurred within Shropshire, all of these documents will be sent on to you by post.

The death certificate

This is a certified copy of the entry in the death register. You are not automatically given a certificate free of charge. The Registrar can let you have a death certificate if you want one, but there is a fee.

You could need a death certificate for the will and for any pension claims, insurance policies, savings bank certificates and premium bonds.

You may wish to have several copies straight away as the price increases if you need more later on. The Registrar may ask you to call back for them or for postage so that they can be sent to you.

Stillborn babies

Information for registration of a stillbirth may be given to any Registrar in England or Wales. The procedure is similar to that for deaths.

If a baby is stillborn (born dead after the 24th week of pregnancy) you will be given a medical certificate of stillbirth, signed by the midwife or doctor, which you should give to the Registrar. If no doctor or midwife was present or examined the body, you will need to sign a 'form 35' which the Registrar will give you.

The Registrar will give you a certificate for burial or cremation and a certificate of registration of stillbirth. You can ask to have a first name entered for a stillborn baby and the Registrar will write the baby's name on these certificates if the name is recorded in the register.

It is also possible to get certified copies of a register entry that was made to record the birth of a stillborn child.

Probate

The registration service has no connection with the probate service.

For further details please contact:

Stoke-on-Trent Probate Sub-Registry
Combined Court Centre
Bethesda Street
Hanley
Stoke on Trent
ST1 3BP

Telephone: +44 (0)1782 854065

Visit the Probate Service webpage by following the Further information about probate link below.

Back to top