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REGISTERING A 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 proceed, but no later than five days from the date of death, except where the matter has been referred to the Coroner.

Who Can Register a Death?

  • Any relative of the deceased who has knowledge of the particulars required to be registered
  • Any person present at the death
  • A person taking care of the funeral arrangements
  • The Executor or Administrator of the deceased's estate
  • The occupier (governor, matron, superintendent or other Chief Officer) at the time of death of the premises
  • A person finding the body

What do you need to Register the Death?

The person registering the death must collect the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death and take it to the Registrar. This is normally issued to the relatives by a Doctor who has treated the deceased, within twenty-eight days before the date of death. If the deceased had not been seen by a Doctor within that period or where the death was not caused by natural illness the case would have to be referred to the Coroner.

Where Can a Death be Registered?

In any Registration Office, providing the death occurred in Northern Ireland.

Details Required to Register a Death

  • Full forename(s) and surname of deceased
  • Date and place of death and usual address
  • Status (single, married/civil partner, widowed/surviving civil partner or divorced/civil partnership dissolved).
  • Date and place of birth
  • The forename(s), surname and occupation of spouse or civil partner.
  • If known, the deceased's parent names and occupations.
  • If the deceased is a child under the age of 16, the parents names and occupations
  • Occupation of deceased
  • Maiden Surname (if applicable)
  • The deceased medical card or national health number, are helpful but not essential
  • The name and address of the deceased's GP

Please note that a registrar cannot easily be changed once completed.

Certified copies of the Death Certificate may be purchased at the time of registration costing £8.00 each. Please note Certified copies at a later stage will cost £15.00

Deaths Registered Prior to 1997

Certified copies of all deaths registered in Northern Ireland may only be obtained from :

General Register Office
Oxford House
49-55 Chichester Street
Belfast
BT1 4HL
Tel: 0300 200 7890 ringing within Northern Ireland or 028 9151 3101 ringing from outside Northern Ireland

www.nidirect.gov.uk/gro (Certificates can be ordered on line)