Registration services and obtaining a death certificate
It is a legal requirement to tell the government that a person has died.
However, if the coroner decides to investigate the death, then the death cannot be registered straight away. The registrar of births and deaths must wait for the coroner to complete their investigation before the death can be registered.
You will be told when and how the death can or will be registered once the coroner has either discontinued their investigation or concluded their investigation and inquest.
The coroner will decide either:
- the cause of death is clear
- that a post-mortem is needed
- to hold an inquest
If the cause of death is clear, the doctor and Medical Examiner (ME) sign a medical certificate of cause of death (MCCD). From 9 September 2024, a death cannot be registered until the ME sends the MCCD to the Register Office where the death occurred.
For more information about the MCCD or ME process, visit the Medical Examiner Service information on the NHS website.
To contact the service email [email protected] or telephone 02921 500799
If a post-mortem has taken place, the coroner will release the body for a funeral once the post-mortem examination has been completed and no further examinations are needed. The coroner issues a certificate to the registrar (CN2 form) stating a post-mortem took place and the death can be registered.
If the coroner intends to hold an inquest, an interim death certificate will be issued so you can notify the registrar of the death.
Documentation is also issued to allow you to make funeral arrangements. Once the inquest is over, the coroner will confirm the cause of death to the registrar and you can get the final death certificate (from the registrar).
You can use the interim death certificate to apply for probate etc.
For Registration Service contact details, click here.