Registration of a Death
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- How do you register a death?
- Who can register a death
- What information will the Registrar require
- Information to be taken to the Registrar
- Local Registrar information
COVID-19 & changes to the registration process
Until further notice, registration will take place by telephone appointment.
We will talk you through the process when you make contact with us.
How do you register a death?
The Death must be registered at the local office of Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages in the district where the death occurred (or where the body was found). Registration should take place as soon as possible, at least within five days of the death. If the death has been referred to the Coroner, the procedure is slightly different, and we will advise you accordingly.
Who can register the death?
The person attending the Registry Office is called the "Informant", and must be one of the following:
- A relative of the deceased who was present at the time of death.
- A relative of the deceased who was in attendance during the last illness.
- A relative of the deceased residing in the same local district.
- Any person present at the death.
- The Occupier, i.e. Matron or Officer in Charge of a Nursing Home, Rest Home or public institution, provided they knew of the illness prior to the death.
- The person responsible for giving instructions for the Funeral, i.e. Executor, Solicitor or similar.
What information will the Registrar require?
- The date and place of Death.
- The deceased's full name and surname (maiden name of a married woman).
- The deceased's usual address.
- The deceased's date and place of birth.
- The deceased's last occupation (name & occupation of husband, if applicable).
- Details of any pension or allowance from public funds.
- If the deceased was married, the date of birth of the surviving spouse.
Information to be taken to the Registrar:
The most important document required is "The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death", which is issued by the Doctor who attended the Deceased during his or her last illness. If the "Informant" does not take this to the Registrar the Registration CANNOT TAKE PLACE.
It is advisable to telephone the Surgery or Hospital to find out when the Certificate will be ready for collection. Do not make any arrangements to Register the Death until you have confirmed that the Certificate has been completed.
It is also advisable to take with you the Deceased's Medical Card, the NHS number and Birth & Marriage Certificates.
REGISTRAR CONTACT DETAILS |
Tavistock Registrar
West Devon Registration Office
West Devon Borough Council Offices
Kilworthy Park
Tavistock
PL9 0BZ
Tel: 0845 155 1002
Okehampton Registrar
West Devon Registration Office
Town Council Offices
Fore Street
Okehampton
EX20 1AA
Tel: 0845 155 1002
Liskeard Registration Office
Graylands
Dean Street
Liskeard
PL14 4AE
Telephone 0300 1234 181
Email: liskeardregistrars@cornwall.gov.uk
Fax: 01872 327554
Plymouth Registration office
The Register Office
Lockyer Street
Plymouth
PL1 2QD
Tel: 01752 268 331
Email: regoff@plymouth.gov.uk
Fax: 01752 256 046
Saltash Registration Office
Plougastel Centre
Plougastel Drive
Saltash
PL12 6DL
Tel: 0300 1234 181
Email: saltashregistrars@cornwall.gov.uk
Fax: 01752 848 556
Bodmin Registration Office
Lyndhurst
66 St Nicholas Street
Bodmin
PL31 1AG
Tel: 0300 1234 181
Email: bodminregistrars@cornwall.gov.uk
Fax: 01208 77841