From 25 March 2022, regulations have changed which mean that death registrations are now in-person at the Register Office. Legislation that allowed telephone death and still-birth registrations has now ended.
The doctor or hospital will continue to send us the medical cause of death certificate electronically to enable us to book a registration. All doctors and hospitals in our borough have been made aware of these changes and have been sent guidance. If you have been given the medical cause of death certificate, then please email dsbreg@lbhf.gov.uk for advice on how to proceed with the registration.
You must register a death within 5 days. This is a legal requirement. The death must be registered at the register office in the borough where the death took place.
If there is an investigation into the death and the coroner is involved, the death may be registered outside of the five days. If the investigation leads to an inquest the registration will take place once the inquest has been held.
The coroner will contact you to let you know when you are able to obtain death certificates from the register office.
Deaths in Hammersmith & Fulham
If the deceased passed away in Hammersmith & Fulham, you will need to contact Hammersmith & Fulham Register Office for the registration.
We run an appointment system Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm. The easiest way to book an appointment is online. Or by emailing our dedicated email address dsbreg@lbhf.gov.uk. This email is for death and still-birth enquiries and appointment requests only.
Registering a death
Death registrations take place in-person at the Register Office. You will need a pre-booked appointment to register a death. You can book an appointment online. The doctor or hospital will need to send us the medical cause of death certificate electronically.
Or call us on 020 8753 2140 during office hours (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm).
For out-of-hours emergencies please call 020 8748 8588.
Deaths outside Hammersmith & Fulham
If the deceased passed away outside Hammersmith & Fulham, we can complete a declaration for the register office which covers the area in which the deceased passed away.
You will not be issued with a death certificate or burial or cremation certificate at the declaration because it needs to be posted to the appropriate office for the registration to be completed. The relevant documents will be posted to you after the registration has been completed.
Who can register the death?
Please note only 2 informants are allowed in the building and Registrar’s interview room at any time.
A 'qualified informant' can be:
- a relative who was present at the death
- a relative in attendance during the last illness
- a relative living in Hammersmith & Fulham
- a person who was present at the death
- an occupant of the house where the deceased was living
- the person arranging the funeral (not the funeral director). A person arranging the funeral should only register a death if there are no relatives available.
If the informant does not speak or understand English, they need to bring someone who can translate for them.
What should I bring?
We need:
- medical certificate of cause of death - issued from certifying doctor
- Coroner's post mortem form - issued to us directly from the coroner
It would be helpful to bring:
- passports or birth certificates
- marriage or civil partnership certificates (if applicable)
- £11 for each certificate (we can accept card payment only)
- for a death declaration each certificate will cost £11. Please provide the registration officer with your contact details at the time of your appointment so that payment can be taken over the phone.
Documents you will receive
A certificate for burial or cremation - this will be sent electronically to your chosen funeral director.
What information will I need?
About the deceased:
- date and place of death
- first name, middle names (if applicable), and surname
- any other names the deceased was otherwise or previously known by
- maiden name (if applicable)
- date and place of birth
- occupation and whether retired or not
- address
Spouse/civil partner of deceased
- first name, middle names (if applicable), and surname
- if deceased or not
- occupation
- if retired or not
- date of birth