Registering a death

Registering a death

When should a death be registered?

Every death must be registered in the district in which it takes place within five days of the date of death. 

If you cannot do this, you must speak to us as soon as possible and we may be able to extend the time limit. 

What if the death has been reported to the coroner? 

You should wait until you hear from the coroner before you come to see us. 

Where can I register the death?

If the person died in Hammersmith & Fulham, you should register the death with us at the Hammersmith & Fulham Register Office. If you do not live locally, you can take the information to your local register office, who will send it onto us and we will post any information to you. Please allow a few weeks for this process.

The Hammersmith & Fulham Register Office, 
Fulham Town Hall
Harwood Road SW6 1ET
Tel: 020 8753 2140
Fax: 020 8753 2146

You can visit us to register a death from Monday to Friday, between 9.30am and  4.00pm. No appointment necessary. The office is closed until 11am on the last Thursday of every month. 

If English is not your first language, it would be helpful for someone else to come with you to act as interpreter. However, they cannot register instead of you.

Who can register a death?

The person who registers a death is called a 'qualified informant', and should be one of the following:

Deaths in a house or hospital -

• a relative of the deceased 
• someone present at the death 
• the occupier of the house or hospital if he or she knew of the death 
• another person living at the house if he or she knew of the death 
• the person making the arrangements with the funeral directors.                    

Deaths elsewhere -

• a relative of the deceased 
• someone present at the death 
• someone who found the body 
• a person in charge of the body 
• the person making the arrangements with the funeral directors.                    

The majority of deaths are registered by a relative of the deceased. The registrar would normally allow one of the other listed persons to register the death only if there were no relatives available. If you are unsure whether you can register the death, please call us for advice on 020 8753 2140.

What information is needed?

The registrar will see you in private to ask for details about the deceased.

You will need to provide the following information:- 

• Date and place of death 
• Full name and surname of the deceased 
• Maiden surname, if applicable 
• Date and place of birth 
• Occupation 
• If the deceased was married, the date of birth of the surviving widow or widower 
• If the deceased was married or widowed,  the full name and occupation of the spouse 
• Usual address.                           

The doctor who treated the person during their last illness will usually issue a medical certificate of the cause of death. You must bring this with you when you come to see us. It is useful to have the birth certificate or passport of the deceased with you, but it is not essential. The deceased's medical card, if available, should also be given to the registrar.

If the deceased received a pension or allowance from public funds, eg: civil service or army pension please inform the registrar. 

It is most important that the information recorded in the death register is correct. You should check the information in the register very carefully before the entry is signed.

What certificates will be issued?

Death certificate
After a death has been registered, one or more death certificates may be bought at the time of registration. The fee at time of registration is £3.50. 

Certificate for burial or cremation
We will issue a certificate for the burial or cremation of the body which is normally passed to the funeral director. If a death has been reported to the coroner, they may issue a certificate for burial or cremation where possible.   

Certificate for applicable Social Security benefits
A certificate for sending to the Department of Social Security will also be issued to the person registering the death or other applicant.   

If you would like further information, please ring us on 020 8753 2140.

For information about register offices nationwide please visit www.gro.gov.uk