Register a death

Coronavirus update

An electronic system is now in place to register a death.

Please call our registration office on 028 9027 0455 and we will guide you through the process by telephone.

Visit nidirect website for more information on the current process.

• Read our coronavirus updates

How to register a death

You will need to fill in a death registration form. These are available from funeral directors, from the registration office or to download from the nidirect website.

You will also need a medical certificate, signed by a doctor, which shows the cause of death. If the death was sudden or the doctor treating the deceased is unavailable, it may be referred to the Coroner. 

If accurately known, at the time of registration, we can also record the deceased's parents' names and occupations.

There is no cost for registering a death. The only cost will be for copies of the death certificates if required.

Information you will need

• full name, surname and address of the deceased 
• date and place of death (and birth) 
• marital status
• occupation of the deceased
• the full name and occupation of the spouse or partner (if the deceased was married, in a civil partnership or widowed)
• maiden surname (if the deceased was a woman who was married)
• the full names and occupation of the father, or where the parents are not married, the full name and occupation of the mother (if the deceased was a child)
• the name and practice address of the deceased's doctor.

The nidirect website has information about what to do if a death is referred to the Coroner or if someone dies abroad. 

Who can register a death

• any relative of the deceased who has knowledge of the details needed to register
• a person present at the death
• a person taking care of the funeral arrangements
• the executor or administrator of the deceased's estate
• the governor, matron or chief officer of a public building where the death occurred
• a person living in and responsible for a house, lodgings or apartments where the death occurred
• a person finding, or taking charge of, the body.

What you will receive

Once the death is registered, you will receive:

• a GRO 21 form which allows a burial or cremation to take place
• Form 36 (certificate of registration of death) for social security purposes if the deceased received a state pension or benefits
• certificates which may be needed when sorting out the deceased's affairs. These can be purchased at the time of registration for £8 per copy. You can pay by credit or debit card, cheque or cash.