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What to do when someone dies: the UK admin

In the hardest days, a few practical steps matter. Register the death, use Tell Us Once, and get certified copies — here’s the order, in plain English.

Last updated 10 July 2026

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There’s no good time to read this — but having the order clear takes one weight off an already heavy time. These are the practical first steps.

The first steps

  1. 1
    Get the medical certificateA doctor provides the medical certificate of cause of death. You need it to register.
  2. 2
    Register the deathWithin 5 days (England/Wales/NI) or 8 (Scotland), at the local register office — usually by appointment.
  3. 3
    Use Tell Us OnceAsk the registrar for the reference — it notifies most government departments in one step.
  4. 4
    Order several certified copiesBanks, pensions and insurers each need one and process them one at a time.
  5. 5
    Notify the restBanks, pensions, insurers, utilities, landlord/mortgage. This is far easier if there’s a record of what existed.
Tip. Tell Us Once covers government bodies, but not banks, pensions, insurers or utilities — those you contact yourself. A clear list of accounts and providers turns this from detective work into a checklist.

The part you can make easier — in advance

Good to know. The single kindest thing a family can do ahead of time is keep a record of what exists and where to find it — accounts, policies, providers, key documents. It spares the person left behind a long, stressful search. See the ‘in case of emergency’ file every family should have.

In short

Get the medical certificate, register the death within the deadline, use Tell Us Once for government departments, and order several certified copies for banks and pensions. Then notify providers one by one — which is far easier when someone has kept a record of what exists.

Frequently asked questions

How long do I have to register a death?

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland you must usually register within 5 days; in Scotland it’s 8. You register at the local register office (often by appointment). You’ll need the medical certificate of cause of death to do it.

What is Tell Us Once?

A free government service that lets you report a death to most government departments — HMRC, DWP, the DVLA, the Passport Office, the local council — in a single step, instead of contacting each separately. The registrar gives you a reference to use it.

How many death certificates will I need?

Usually several. Each bank, pension provider and insurer typically wants to see a certified copy, and they process them one at a time — so ordering multiple certified copies at registration saves weeks of back-and-forth later.

Related guides

Sources & last checked

Last checked against official sources: 10 July 2026.