The following information will help you register a death.
Who can register a death?
A death can be registered by:
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a relative of the person who has died
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any person present at the death
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the executor or legal representative of the person who has died
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anyone living in the premises where the death has happened
If none of the above, any other person who has all the relevant details to be registered.
When must I register the death?
All deaths must be registered within eight days.
Where can I register a death?
If a death occurs in Scotland, then you are required to register the death in Scotland.
As from 1 January 2007 you can register a death at any registration office in Scotland.
You can register a death in any of the registration offices in Falkirk if the death occurred in Scotland. Details of the local registration offices can be found| here|.
What documents do I need?
You will need a medical certificate giving the cause of death (Form 11). The doctor who certifies this certificate will give this to you.
The registrar will also need the following documents for the person who has died if they are available:
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their birth certificate
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their marriage or civil partnership certificate (if they were ever married or entered into a civil partnership)
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their medical card.
If they were receiving a Civil Service, NHS, Armed Forces retirement or other pension fund from public funds (not state pension), you are also required to provide the registrar with the pension books, order book or pension reference number for the deceased.
The registrar will ask for the following information about the person who has died:
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full name and last full-time occupation
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date of birth and country of birth
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usual home address
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father's full name and occupation
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mother's full maiden name and occupation (if appropriate)
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If married, civil partner, widowed, divorced or civil partnership dissolved, the full name and maiden surname (if applicable) of their husband, wife or civil partner
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doctor's name and surgery address.
If you have any difficulty getting any of the documents or information mentioned above, contact the registrar for advice.
What documents will I receive from the registrar?
You will recieve:
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a certificate of registration of death (Form 14) to take to the undertaker
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a green form for social security purposes (Form 334S1)
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an abbreviated death certificate.
You will not have to pay for these documents.
How much will registration cost?
Registration of death is free of charge. However, if you need copies of the death certificate you will need to pay a fee for each certificate.
You may need original death certificates for insurance, banks, pensions and building society business. (You cannot provide photocopies.) You can buy certified copies from the registrar at any time.
Please note, you can only obtain one free abbreviated death certificate at time of registration.