Farra is a death administration assistant for UK families. Get step-by-step guidance for registering a death, applying for probate, notifying banks, and managing bereavement admin. From essential documents to practical checklists, Farra simplifies estate paperwork and funeral-related tasks so you can focus on what matters.
Need to apply for probate?
Answer 15 questions and we'll tell you exactly what to file, in what order — from £95.
Contact the registrar office where the death was registered with documentary evidence showing the correct information. Simple clerical errors cost £90 plus £12.50 per new certificate and take 5-10 working days. Complex errors require a statutory declaration (4-8 weeks).
Errors on death certificates can cause significant problems when closing accounts, claiming benefits, or administering estates. Fortunately, there are established procedures to correct mistakes, though the process varies depending on the type of error.
Important: Death registers are permanent legal records. Corrections require formal procedures and cannot be made informally. You'll need to follow the official process through the General Register Office or local registrar.
October 2026 Update:
The General Register Office has streamlined the correction process, with most administrative errors now correctable within 10 working days. Online application tracking is now available for correction requests.
Different types of errors require different correction procedures:
Mistakes made by the registrar during the registration process, such as:
Solution: Can be corrected relatively easily with supporting evidence.
Incorrect information provided by the informant (person who registered), such as:
Solution: Requires statutory declaration and supporting evidence.
Mistakes in the cause of death or medical details:
Solution: Requires a corrected certificate from the doctor who signed the original.
Major factual errors that significantly affect the record:
Solution: Requires court order or formal rectification process.
Here's how to request a correction:
Determine whether it's a clerical error, informant error, or something more complex. This affects which process you'll need to follow.
You'll need documentary proof of the correct information:
Contact the registrar office where the death was registered. Explain the error and ask about the correction procedure. They may be able to correct minor clerical errors immediately.
Depending on the error type, you may need to:
For most corrections, the registrar will forward your request to the General Register Office for approval and processing.
Once approved, a marginal note is added to the register explaining the correction, and you can order new certified copies showing the corrected information.
For informant errors, you'll need to make a statutory declaration:
A formal statement made under oath that the information you're providing is true. It must be witnessed by a solicitor, commissioner for oaths, or certain other authorized persons.
Solicitors typically charge £5-£20 to witness a statutory declaration. Some registrars can also witness declarations.
Errors in the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death require special procedures:
If the certifying doctor realizes they made an error (wrong terminology, missing information), they can issue a corrected certificate. Contact the doctor directly or through the hospital.
If new medical evidence emerges that changes the cause of death significantly, this may require:
How long corrections take depends on the complexity:
Simple Clerical Errors: 5-10 working days from submitting evidence
Informant Errors with Statutory Declaration: 4-8 weeks from submission
Medical Certificate Corrections: 2-6 weeks depending on doctor availability
Complex Cases Requiring Court Order: 3-12 months or longer
Some things cannot be changed through the correction process:
Important: If information was correctly recorded based on what was known at the time, it cannot be corrected simply because you later discovered different information.
When a correction is made, here's what happens:
The register is not erased or rewritten. Instead, a marginal note is added explaining the correction. This maintains the integrity of the permanent record.
Certificates issued after the correction will show the corrected information plus a note indicating that a correction was made.
Previously issued certificates don't become invalid, but you may need to explain the discrepancy. Most people order new certificates after corrections.
Example: "John" registered as "Jon" or surname misspelled
Solution: Provide birth certificate, passport, or other ID showing correct spelling. Usually quick to correct.
Example: Informant gave approximate age that was incorrect
Solution: Provide birth certificate. May require statutory declaration explaining how error occurred.
Example: Registered as "married" when divorced, or vice versa
Solution: Provide marriage/divorce certificates. Requires statutory declaration.
Example: Old address used instead of current residence
Solution: Provide utility bills or council tax bills. Relatively straightforward to correct.
Some corrections require a court order:
If the wrong person was identified as deceased, or if there are fundamental errors in identity, you'll likely need a court order to correct the record.
If family members disagree about the correction, or if the registrar refuses the correction, you may need to seek a court declaration.
For complex cases, consult a solicitor who specializes in probate or family law. They can advise on whether a court order is necessary and how to obtain one.
The best approach is to prevent errors in the first place:
If you've already submitted death certificates to banks, insurers, etc., and need to correct them:
Notify Them Early: Let organizations know a correction is in progress. They may pause processing until you provide the corrected certificate.
Provide Updated Certificates: Once corrected, send new certificates to all relevant organizations.
Explain the Discrepancy: Include a brief letter explaining that the previous certificate contained an error that has now been corrected.
Scotland has different procedures for corrections. Contact National Records of Scotland (0131 314 4433) or visit nrscotland.gov.uk for Scottish correction procedures.
Northern Ireland corrections are handled through the General Register Office Northern Ireland. Contact 0300 200 7812 or visit nidirect.gov.uk.
Clear guide to qualified informants who can legally register a death, priority order, and what to do in complex family situations.
What happens if you miss the death registration deadline, how to register late, penalties, and valid reasons for delays.
What happens to an LPA when the donor dies. Why LPAs automatically end at death, what replaces them, and how to deal with organisations that ask for an LPA.
How to register an LPA with the Office of the Public Guardian. Forms, fees, timescales, and what to do if you need to use an LPA urgently.
Who can legally witness a will in the UK. The rules about beneficiaries witnessing, remote witnessing, and what happens if the witnessing was invalid.
Ready to apply for probate?
Answer 15 questions and we'll tell you exactly what to file, in what order, and what to do when it gets complicated.
Get started →Free to start · from £95