Registration of deaths in northern ireland
Registration of death
Why register a death?
By law all deaths occurring in Northern Ireland must be registered. A death should be registered as soon as possible to allow funeral arrangements to go ahead but no later than five days from the date of occurrence except where the matter has been referred to the Coroner. The five day period may be extended to fourteen days if the Registrar is notified in writing of the death and supplied with a medical certificate of the cause.
Who can register the death?
Most deaths are registered by a relative of the deceased. However, if the deceased has no relatives or none available then any of the following can register the death.
- Any relative of the deceased who has knowledge of the details required to be registered
- A person present at the death
- The executor or administrator of the deceased’s estate
- The governor, matron, superintendent or chief officer of a public building where the death occurred.
- A person living in and responsible for a house, lodgings or apartments where the death occurred
- A person finding the body, or a person taking charge of the body
- A person taking care of the funeral arrangements
What details are required?
- Full name and surname of the deceased
- Date and place of death and the usual address
- Marital status (single, married, widowed or divorced)
- Date and place of birth
- Occupation of the deceased
- Maiden surname
- Whether the deceased was getting a naval or military pension, or other pension or allowance from the public funds
- If possible, details of the pension or allowance should be made available to the Registrar
- The deceased’s medical card or National Health Number
The person registering the death must give these details to the Registrar along with a medical certificate of the cause of death. This issued by a doctor who had treated the deceased, within twenty-eight days before the date of death.
If the deceased has not been seen by a doctor within that period or where death was not caused by natural illness the case would have to be referred to the Coroner.
Where can the death be registered?
Any Council Registrar’s Office.
Who to inform:
- contact the deceased's employer, school, college or university
- GP,dentist, optician and hospital appointments
- Social security office
- Insurance policies: car, home, investments
- Bank or building society
- HMRC -Inland Revenue
- post office
- utility bills
- returning important, documents passport ,driving licence, vehicle registration document
