Who Can Register a Death
Understanding Qualified Informants
In England and Wales, only certain people are legally allowed to register a death. These individuals are known as "qualified informants" and there's a clear order of priority the registrar must follow.
October 2025 Update:
The General Register Office has clarified guidance on who can register deaths when families are estranged or complicated. Registrars now have more flexibility in accepting qualified informants.
Important: You cannot simply nominate anyone to register a death on your behalf. The person must be a qualified informant as defined by law.
Qualified Informants – Order of Priority
The law specifies who can register a death in the following order:
1. A Relative Present at Death
Any relative who was present at the death has first priority. This includes spouses, children, parents, siblings, and other blood relatives or relatives by marriage.
2. A Relative in Attendance During Last Illness
A relative who was present during the final illness, even if not at the exact moment of death.
3. A Relative Living in the Same Registration District
Any relative who lives in the same registration district where the death occurred.
4. A Person Present at Death
Anyone who was present when the death occurred, whether related or not. This could be a friend, carer, or neighbour.
5. The Occupier of the Premises
The person in charge of the building where death occurred (e.g., care home manager, hospital administrator, homeowner).
6. The Person Making Funeral Arrangements
The person arranging the funeral, typically the executor or next of kin, even if not present at death.
Practical Tip: Registrars prefer someone from categories 1-3, but if no one is available, they will accept informants from later categories. Call ahead to discuss your situation.
What "Relative" Means
For death registration purposes, a relative includes:
- Spouse or civil partner
- Children (including adult children, stepchildren, and adopted children)
- Parents and step-parents
- Siblings (including half-siblings and step-siblings)
- Grandparents and grandchildren
- Aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews
- In-laws (parents-in-law, siblings-in-law, etc.)
- Former spouses if still involved in the person's life
Note: Cohabiting partners who are not married or in a civil partnership are not automatically considered "relatives" for registration purposes, though they may qualify under other categories.
Special Circumstances
No Relatives Available
If the deceased has no relatives, or none can be contacted within the 5-day deadline:
- A close friend present at death can register
- The executor named in the will can register
- The person arranging the funeral can register
- For hospital deaths, the hospital administrator may register
- For care home deaths, the care home manager may register
Estranged Families
When families are estranged or there are disputes about who should register:
The registrar will accept the first qualified informant who comes forward with the required documents. They cannot refuse to register based on family disputes.
If you're concerned about who might register, try to be the first to make contact with the registrar's office.
Cohabiting Partners
If you were living with someone who wasn't your spouse or civil partner:
- You may qualify as "person present at death" if you were there
- You may qualify as "occupier of premises" if it was your home
- You can register as "person arranging funeral"
- Consider expediting marriage if the person is still alive but terminally ill
Deaths Abroad
For deaths that occurred outside the UK:
- Registration follows the laws of the country where death occurred
- You can later register with the British Consulate
- The nearest relative typically has priority for consular registration
What You'll Need to Prove
The registrar may ask you to prove you're a qualified informant by providing:
- Your own photo ID (passport or driving licence)
- Evidence of your relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate)
- Proof of your address if claiming to live in the same district
- Documentation of your role (executor documents, funeral director confirmation)
Top Tip: Call the registrar's office before your appointment to confirm exactly what they'll need to see. Requirements can vary slightly between offices.
Can Multiple People Register Together?
Technically, only one person needs to register the death, but:
- Multiple qualified informants can attend the appointment together
- This can be helpful if sharing the emotional burden
- Both can sign the register if they wish
- Useful when information is split between family members
Important: Let the registrar know in advance if multiple people will attend, as some offices have small appointment rooms.
If You're Not a Qualified Informant
If you want to help but don't qualify to register the death yourself:
Accompany the Informant
You can attend the appointment with the qualified informant to provide support and help answer questions.
Gather Information
Help collect the required documents and information that the informant will need.
Make Arrangements
Book the appointment, liaise with the funeral director, and handle other practical tasks.
Hospital and Care Home Deaths
When someone dies in institutional care, special rules may apply:
Hospital Deaths
The hospital bereavement office will contact the next of kin. A relative should still register if possible, but hospital administrators can register if no one else is available within the deadline.
Care Home Deaths
The care home manager may register, but they'll usually contact family first. If you want to register yourself, make this clear to the care home immediately.
Hospice Deaths
Similar to hospitals, the hospice will notify family, and relatives have priority for registration.
Common Questions About Who Can Register
Can an adult child register if parents are alive?
Yes, adult children are qualified informants regardless of whether parents are still living.
Can a solicitor or executor register?
Yes, but only if they're also arranging the funeral. Being named as executor alone isn't sufficient unless they're also in another qualified category.
What if I'm the only person who knows the details?
If you have necessary information but aren't a qualified informant, share it with someone who is, or attend the appointment with them.
Can I register if I'm under 18?
Generally, no. The registrar will usually ask someone over 18 to register, though exceptions may be made in exceptional circumstances.
What to Do Next
- Identify who is the most appropriate qualified informant
- Ensure they have (or can obtain) necessary identity documents
- Gather the deceased's documents and information
- Contact the registrar to book an appointment
- Explain your relationship if it's not straightforward
- Ask about bringing additional people for support
Regional Variations
Scotland
Different rules apply. See our guide on "How to Register a Death in Scotland" for Scottish requirements.
Northern Ireland
Similar but not identical rules. See our guide on "How to Register a Death in Northern Ireland" for specific guidance.
Need Help?
If you're unsure whether you qualify to register a death, or if your situation is complicated:
- • Call the registrar's office directly – they're helpful and used to complex situations
- • Explain your relationship and circumstances honestly
- • Ask specifically what documents they'll need from you
- • Consider whether another qualified informant might be more appropriate
Related Guides
How to Register a Death in the UK
Complete registration guide once you've identified the informant
Register a Death in Scotland
Scotland has wider range of qualified informants than England
Register a Death in Northern Ireland
NI's specific order of priority for qualified informants
Medical Certificate of Cause of Death
The informant needs MCCD before registering
Missing the Registration Deadline
What if qualified informant cannot register within 5 days
How Many Death Certificate Copies?
Informant should order sufficient copies at registration
Correcting Death Certificate Errors
Informant errors require statutory declarations to fix
What to Do When Someone Dies
Full first steps checklist including identifying the informant
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is allowed to register a death in the UK?
Only 'qualified informants' can register a death. These include (in order): a relative present at death, a relative during final illness, a relative in the same registration district, any person present at death, the occupier of premises (care home/hospital manager), or the person arranging the funeral. Unmarried partners are not automatically qualified unless they fit one of these categories.
Can an unmarried partner register a death?
Only if they qualify under another category - such as being present at death, occupier of the premises (if death occurred in their home), or the person arranging the funeral. Cohabiting partners are not considered 'relatives' under law, even after decades together. If present at death or arranging the funeral, they can register.
What documents do I need to prove I can register a death?
You'll need your own photo ID (passport or driving licence), evidence of your relationship to the deceased (marriage/birth certificate if claiming to be a relative), proof of address if claiming to live in the same district, and documentation of your role (executor documents or funeral director confirmation if arranging the funeral). Call the registrar beforehand to confirm specific requirements.
Can I register a death if I live far away from where they died?
Yes, as long as you're a qualified informant. Since 2021, you can use the 'Tell Us Once' service to register remotely in some areas, or register at any registrar office in England and Wales (not just where death occurred). You may be able to do it by 'declaration' - giving details to another registrar office who passes them to the correct district.
What if no one wants to register the death?
If no qualified informant comes forward within 5 days, the registrar can accept later informants (like the person arranging funeral, executor, or administrator). For hospital/care home deaths, the facility manager can register as a last resort. The registrar will work with whoever is available to ensure the death is registered legally.
Can two people register a death together?
Yes, multiple qualified informants can attend the registration appointment together. Only one signature is legally required, but both can sign if they wish. This is helpful when sharing information about the deceased or providing emotional support. Let the registrar know in advance if multiple people will attend, as some offices have small appointment rooms.
Related Guides
You might also find these guides helpful
How to Register a Death in the UK
Everything you need to know about registering a death, including documents, timelines, and local registrars.
How to Register a Death in England and Wales
Specific requirements for death registration in England and Wales, including online booking and required documents.
How to Register a Death in Scotland
Complete guide to death registration in Scotland, including 8-day deadline, National Records procedures, and key differences from England/Wales.