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Registration

Telephone: 0845 603 7632

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Deaths

Registering a death

All deaths need to be registered with the Registrar of Births and Deaths in the area where the death occurred.  If the death occurred in Essex but you do not live in the county then you can register the death by making a declaration to any Registrar of Births and Deaths in England or Wales. They will forward the documentation to the correct registration district.
 
All deaths should be registered within five days unless a coroner is investigating the circumstances of the death. 
 

Who can register a death:

  • a relative;
  • a person present at the death;
  • a legally registered civil partner;
  • someone who lives in the house where the person died;
  • a person arranging the funeral with the funeral director;
  • a responsible person from the hospital or home where the person died. 
To make an appointment to register a death you will need to telephone ContactEssex on 0845 603 7632 or you can contact your local registration office.
 

Information needed for registration:

  • medical certificate of cause of death;
  • date and place of death;
  • full names of the deceased at the time of death and any other names which may have been used;
  • usual home address and postcode;
  • date of birth (for spouse);
  • the maiden surname, if the person who died was a married woman or widow;
  • occupation of the deceased;
  • the full name and occupation of the spouse (for a married or widowed woman);
  • either the National Health Service Number if known or the medical card if available;
  • details of any pension or allowance from public funds. 
It would also help the registrar if you could bring the birth certificate for the deceased.
 
Once the registration is complete you will be asked to sign the entry.  It is very important that the information recorded is accurate.
 

The registrar will give you:

  • a green form to be given to the funeral director;
  • a white BD8 form to be completed and sent by you, with any benefit or pension details to the Department of Work and Pensions. 
You can also obtain certified copies of the death entry (the death certificate) at the time of registration.  You will need to produce a death certificate when you are sorting out the finances of the person who has died (for example with banks, building societies and insurance companies).
 

Fees  

The white and green forms are issued free of charge.  A death certificate costs £4 on the day of registration, £7 whilst the registrar holds the book and then £10 if you purchase it at a later date.
 

Additional information 

There are many decisions and arrangements to be made after someone has died.  A helpful guide to assist you with these arrangements is available from the Directgov website.You can also ready this guide on bereavement. 
 

Civil funerals 

A civil funeral ceremony can provide an opportunity for the family, with the help and support of a professional celebrant, to create a personal, meaningful and appropriate final tribute to reflect the life of their loved one. 
 

Stillbirth registration 

A stillborn child is a child who dies after the 24th week of pregnancy without breathing or showing signs of life. We have information on how to register a stillbirth on our website.