Registering a death

When someone dies in Scotland, their death needs to be registered within eight days. This can be done at our registration office or any registration office in Scotland.

How to make an appointment

Please call our office Monday – Friday between 9am and 5pm to arrange your appointment. If you need to change or cancel your appointment please contact us as soon as possible.

What to bring with you

When you go to the office to register the death, you should take the following documents with you, if they are available:

• The medical certificate showing the cause of death
• Their birth certificate
• Their marriage/civil partnership certificate
• Their medical card

What we will give you

After the death registration, we will give you the following forms free of charge:

• Form 14 - A certificate of registration of death (the form you will give to the undertaker)
• An abbreviated death certificate
• A form for social security purposes

Full death certificates can be purchased if you need them.

Funeral Support Payment

Funeral Support Payment is a new payment available to people in Scotland, who are on certain benefits or tax credits, and need support to meet the costs of a funeral. For more information please see our Funeral Support Payment page.

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Tell Us Once

After the registration you can use the Tell Us Once service:

Downloads

Tell Us Once - Death

PDF file, 137.4 KB

This service will tell local and central government of the death. To use this, you will need to bring the following documents with you:

• National Insurance Number (for deceased and surviving spouse)
• Driving Licence (if they had one)
• Passport (if they had one)
• Blue Badge (if they had one)

We will provide a sympathetic, helpful and considerate service through this difficult time.