Registering A Death
The person who registers the death is formally known as the 'informant'. Only relatives or certain other individuals are qualified by law to register a death.
This will also depend on where the death occurred. When you speak to make the appointment to register the death, give the name and relationship of the person who will be attending to do the registration to check that they are the best person available to do this. It is preferable if the person who is at the top of these lists can do the registration.
It can be someone further down the list if someone above cannot carry out the registration for reasons of disability or ill health, they are out of the country or other reasons such as being in custody.
If the death occurred inside a house or public building such as a hospital, the following people may register the death:
-A relative
-Someone who was present at the death
-The occupier of the house or an official from the public building where the death occurs, e.g. the hospital
-The person making the arrangements with the funeral director
If the death took place elsewhere, the following list of people may register the death.
-A relative
-Someone who was present at the death
-The person who found the body
-The person who is in charge of the body
-The person making the arrangements with the funeral director.
Please note that funeral directors are not permitted to register a death.
Registrars Information
The registrar must have received:
The medical certificate of cause of death (unless the coroner or procurator fiscal has issued their document directly to the registrar).
If possible, you should also take the following documents. They are not absolutely essential but provide much of the additional information you need for the registration, but do not delay registering just because you cannot find this paperwork.
-NHS card (also called the medical card)
-Birth certificate
-Driving license
-Council tax bill
-Marriage or civil partnership certificate -If possible please take the National Insurance number of the deceased and the number of a surviving spouse or civil partner.
-Passport
-Proof of address (e.g. utility bill).
When you see the registrar, they will be as helpful as they can in registering the death.
They will require the following information about the deceased:
-Date and place of the death
-The address of the person
-Their full names (including the maiden name of a married woman).
-Any former married names or other names by which the deceased was known can also be recorded.
-Where and when they were born (the town or county is sufficient if the exact address is not known).
-Only the country of origin is required for people born outside the United Kingdom.
-Their occupation
-Details of their wife or husband or civil partner
-Whether they had any government pension or other benefits.
While it is not essential, you should also take supporting documents that show your name and address (e.g. a utility bill) but you can still register a death without them. The registration process will take approximately 30 minutes.
Local Register Offices
Waterloo Register Office
Crosby Town Hall, Great Georges Road Waterloo L22 1RB
Please telephone to make an appointment on 0151 934 3044. Opening hours
Monday 9.15am to 5.30pm; Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 9.15am to 4pm
Liverpool Register Office
St George's Hall (Heritage Entrance)
St George's Place
Liverpool L1 1JJ
Please telephone to make an appointment on 0151 233 3004.
Southport Register Office
Corporation Street Southport PR8 1DA
Please telephone to make an appointment on 0151 934 2011/2013. Opening hours
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 9.15am to 4pm Tuesday 9.15am to 5.30pm
TESTIMONIALS
Dear Clegg & Co
"We want to say a heartfelt & genuine 'THANK YOU' for everything you have done for us as a family in the last couple of weeks.
Your warmth, kindness, sensitivity & professionalism have made some of the hardest moments a little less painful & stressful"
with deepest gratitude
Olwen Nolan & Family
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Kind regards
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