Where can I register a death
A death must be registered in the Registration District where the death took place.
If it is not convenient for you to attend the Register Office in the district where the death took place details of the death may be given at any Register Office in England or Wales. The registration officer in the district where the death details were taken will forward the information to the district where the death occurred.
When the registration officer of the district where the death occurred receives the details they will register the death and forward the necessary documentation to you.
It must be noted that if you register in this way you will not receive any documents for the funeral director or any death certificates until the death has been registered in the district where it took place.
Please contact the office you intend to visit as soon as possible as the registrar will require information from the doctor or coroner before and details can be taken.
The Registration
When attending the Darlington Register Office please let the receptionist know that you have arrived.
The registrar will see you in a private room and the information you give will be entered firstly onto the computer, and then once you are happy with the content, the details will be copied into the death register. Before signing the register you will be asked to check that the information you have given has been entered accurately.
Documents and certificates
The registrar will give you a document for the funeral director which will allow you to make arrangements for the burial or cremation. You will also be given a certificate for social security purposes. Any death certificates you wish to purchase will cost £3.50 each at the time of registration. Further certificates may be purchased at a later date but once the register containing the entry is completed it will be handed to the Superintendent Registrar and the fee then for each certificate will be £7.00.
How much does it cost to register a death?
There is no charge for registering a death.
If you wish to purchase further certificates, there is a charge. More information about copy certificates
Further Help, Advice and Information.
Following a bereavement, there are a number of organisations you may need to contact to inform them of the passing of your loved one or whose services you need to access. Details of some of these organisations are listed in the Bereavement Section of our Life Events
How do I register a death?
The informant will need to attend the office in person to register the death.
For your convenience Darlington Register Office operates an appointment system (Tel. 01325-346604)
Please bring the following documents with you:
- Medical certificate of cause of death from the doctor or notification from the coroner.
- If available, the deceased's birth certificate.
- If available, information relating to any pensions or allowance received by the deceased.
- If available, the deceased's N.H.S. medical card.
Information you will need
- The date and place of death.
- The full names and surname of the deceased.
- Maiden surname if applicable.
- The date and place of birth of the deceased.
- The occupation and address of the deceased.
- If the person who has died was a married lady or a widow the full names and occupation of her husband.
- Your name and address.
- If the deceased was still married the date of birth of their widow/widower
Who can register a death
In order of preference the following people are qualified to register a death:
- A relative of the deceased present at the death
- A relative of the deceased in attendance during the last illness.
- A relative of the deceased residing or being in the district where the death occurred.
- A person present at the death.
- The occupier if he knew of the happening of the death.
- Any inmate if he knew of the happening of the death.
- The person causing the disposal of the body