What is a death certificate and why do you need it?
A death certificate is one of the most important documents you’ll receive after someone dies. It’s an official record of the death, and you’ll need it for a wide range of practical and legal tasks in the weeks and months that follow.
Understanding what a death certificate is, why it’s essential, and how to obtain it can help you navigate the administrative side of bereavement with more confidence.
What is a Death Certificate?
A death certificate is an official document issued by a register office after a death has been registered. It provides key details about the deceased, including:
- Full name.
- Date of birth.
- Date and place of death.
- Occupation.
- Usual address.
- Cause of death.
- Name and qualification of the person who certified the death.
The certificate is signed by the registrar and stamped with the official seal of the register office. It serves as legal proof that the death occurred and has been formally recorded.
The difference between a medical certificate and a death certificate
It’s important not to confuse a death certificate with a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD). These are two separate documents.
The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death is issued by a doctor and states the medical reason for the death. You need this document to register the death, but it’s not a legal proof of death.
The death certificate, on the other hand, is the official document you receive after the death has been registered. This is the document you’ll use for legal and financial purposes.
Why do you need a Death Certificate?
You’ll need death certificates for a wide range of tasks after someone dies. These include:
Arranging the Funeral
Before the funeral can take place, you’ll need to provide the funeral director with a certificate for burial or cremation (sometimes called the “green form”). This is issued by the registrar when you register the death.
Whilst this isn’t technically a death certificate, it’s issued at the same time and is essential for moving forward with funeral arrangements.
For more information on arranging a funeral, visit our guide on how long it takes to arrange a funeral.
Closing Accounts and Financial Matters
Banks, building societies, insurance companies, and pension providers will all require a death certificate before they can close accounts, release funds, or process claims.
You’ll typically need to provide an original or certified copy of the death certificate for each organisation. This is why it’s a good idea to order several copies when you register the death.
Applying for Probate
If the deceased left an estate that needs to go through probate, you’ll need to provide a death certificate as part of the application process. Probate is the legal process of administering someone’s estate after they die, and it’s required for most estates above a certain value.
To learn more about probate and when it’s needed, visit our guide on what probate is.
Claiming Benefits and Entitlements
If you’re entitled to bereavement benefits, a widow’s or widower’s pension, or other state support, you’ll need to provide a death certificate when making your claim.
You may also need a death certificate to cancel or transfer certain benefits the deceased was receiving, such as state pension or disability allowances.
Transferring Property and Assets
If the deceased owned property, vehicles, or other significant assets, you’ll need a death certificate to transfer ownership or sell those assets.
For example, the DVLA requires a death certificate to cancel a driving licence or transfer ownership of a vehicle.
Notifying Other Organisations
You’ll also need death certificates to notify organisations like:
- HMRC (for tax purposes).
- Utility companies.
- The Passport Office.
- Subscription services and memberships.
- Landlords or housing associations.
Having multiple death certificates on hand makes this process much smoother.
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How to obtain a Death Certificate
You can order death certificates when you register the death at the register office. The registrar will ask how many copies you need, and you can purchase them on the spot.
In England and Wales, each death certificate costs around £12.50. In Scotland and Northern Ireland, the cost is similar. It’s usually more expensive to order additional copies later, so it’s worth getting several at the time of registration.
As a general rule, you should order at least 5 to 10 copies, depending on the complexity of the deceased’s financial affairs. If they owned property, had multiple bank accounts, or held life insurance policies, you’ll likely need more.
How to order additional Death Certificates later
If you need more death certificates after the initial registration, you can order them from the General Register Office (in England and Wales), National Records of Scotland, or the General Register Office for Northern Ireland.
You can apply online, by post, or by phone. The cost is typically higher than ordering at the time of registration, and delivery can take several days or weeks.
You can order additional death certificates through the GOV.UK register a death page at www.gov.uk/register-a-death.
Certified copies vs photocopies
Most organisations require an original or certified copy of the death certificate. A photocopy is usually not acceptable for legal or financial purposes.
A certified copy is an official duplicate issued by the register office or General Register Office. It carries the same legal weight as the original.
If you’re unsure whether an organisation will accept a photocopy, it’s best to provide a certified copy to avoid delays.
Keeping Death Certificates safe
Death certificates are important documents, and you should keep them in a safe place. Consider storing them with other essential paperwork, such as wills, property deeds, and insurance policies.
If you’re sending death certificates by post, use recorded or special delivery to ensure they don’t get lost. Many organisations will return the certificate to you once they’ve processed your request, but it’s worth confirming this in advance.
What if the death was referred to a coroner?
If the death was sudden, unexplained, or occurred in certain circumstances, it may be referred to a coroner (or procurator fiscal in Scotland). In these cases, the registration of the death may be delayed until the coroner has completed their investigation.
Once the coroner has finished their work, they’ll either issue a certificate that allows you to register the death as normal, or they’ll register the death themselves and send you the death certificate.
If a post-mortem or inquest is required, this process can take several weeks or even months. The coroner’s office will keep you informed throughout.
Final thoughts
A death certificate is a vital document that you’ll need for almost every practical task following a bereavement. From arranging the funeral to managing the deceased’s finances and applying for probate, it’s an essential piece of paperwork that proves the death occurred and allows you to move forward.
By ordering multiple copies when you register the death and keeping them safe, you can save yourself time, stress, and additional costs down the line.
For more information on registering a death and what happens next, visit our guide on how to register a death in the UK. If you need guidance on probate and estate administration, see our probate guide.