Death certificate

A death at home

If the death happens at home and the doctor is satisfied about the cause, they will fill in the first part of the Death Notification Form and give it to the family.

The family fills in the second part, with the personal details of the person who has died, including their PPS number. The form must be given to a Registrar of Deaths within three months, and a relative signs the register. You can usually get the death certificate from the Registrar straight after registering the death.

A death in hospital or a nursing home

If the death was related to the illness the person was being treated for, the doctor will give the family the medical certificate of the cause of death.

A sudden or unexpected death

Your funeral director can arrange for an interim death certificate to be issued by the Coroner’s Office, once the Coroner has released your loved one.

For full, up-to-date details, see Citizens Information, or ask us.