How to Notify Tell Us Once of a Death: Government Bereavement Guide 2026

How to notify Tell Us Once of a death — step by step

1. Get a unique reference number from the registrar

   The registrar explains Tell Us Once when you register the death. They will either complete it with you there and then, or give you a unique reference number so you can do it yourself. You must use the reference within 28 days. If an inquest means the death cannot be registered yet, you can still ask a registrar for a reference once the coroner has given you an interim death certificate.

2. Use the reference online or by phone

   Go to gov.uk/tell-us-once, or call the number the registrar gives you — councils publish 0800 085 7308 for the telephone service. GOV.UK does not publish the number or its opening hours itself, so use the one on your reference letter if it differs.

3. Have the details ready

   You need the deceased's surname and date of death, the name and address of the executor or administrator, and details of any surviving spouse or civil partner (or, if there is none, the next of kin). To cancel a passport you also need the passport number and their town of birth; for the driving licence and vehicles, the licence number and registration numbers; and their National Insurance number if they paid into or drew from one of the public sector pension schemes the service covers.

4. Tell the organisations Tell Us Once does not cover

   Tell Us Once notifies HMRC, DWP, HM Passport Office, DVLA, the local council, Veterans UK, Social Security Scotland, and several public sector pension schemes. It does not contact banks, mortgage providers, insurers, utility companies, landlords or housing associations, or personal and workplace pension schemes — you must tell each of those yourself. You may also need to update the property records if the person owned land or property.

What documents does Tell Us Once need?

• Tell Us Once reference number (from the registrar)
• Deceased's surname and date of death
• Name, address and contact details of the executor or administrator
• Details of any surviving spouse or civil partner, or of the next of kin
• Passport number and town of birth, driving licence number and vehicle registrations, if you want those cancelled

Have multiple certified copies of the death certificate ready. Banks and financial institutions each require an original or certified copy — you cannot usually pass a single copy between organisations. See our guide to how many death certificates you need.

How long does Tell Us Once take?

Tell Us Once does not publish a processing time, so we do not give one. Ask when you notify them, and ask for a reference so you can chase it.

Records are updated rather than frozen — there is no account to hold.

GOV.UK publishes no processing time for Tell Us Once, so the figure above is indicative only — each department contacts you directly once it has been notified. You can only use Tell Us Once if the person was living in England, Scotland or Wales when they died; it cannot be used if they were living in Northern Ireland or permanently abroad. Northern Ireland has no equivalent single-notification service: the Department for Communities Bereavement Service records the death for benefits purposes only, rates are handled separately by Land & Property Services, and every other organisation has to be told individually — see nidirect.gov.uk.

What happens after you notify Tell Us Once?

Once Tell Us Once receives your notification and confirms receipt, the account or service will be frozen and no new transactions will be authorised. Estate administration can then begin.

Tell Us Once will confirm receipt of your notification and advise you of any next steps required to close or transfer the account or policy. Keep a record of all correspondence and reference numbers for the estate file.

What cannot wait