REGISTERING A DEATH

All deaths are required by law to be registered in the sub-district where they occur. The doctor who certified the death will issue a Medical Cause of Death Certificate, which must be taken to the District/Sub-District Registrar by the next of kin or a nominated representative along with the deceased’s medical card.

REGISTERING A DEATH MUST BE DONE AS A MATTER OF URGENCY

Registration must usually be done within 5 days of the death, this may vary if the Coroner is involved.  The Registrar must be contacted before attending to make an appointment. The Register Office for Godalming is located at:

Artington House
42 Portsmouth Road
Guildford
GU2 4DZ

Telephone: 0300 200 1002
Opening Times: Mon, Tue, Thu & Fri 09:00-16:30
Wed 09:30-16:30

For other areas in Surrey, telephone 0300 200 1002 for the location of the correct Register Office.  The contact details for the Registrar will often be printed on the envelope containing the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death.

THOSE ELIGIBLE TO REGISTER A DEATH ARE:

• Relative or civil partner of the deceased
• The person responsible for paying the funeral account
• An executor of the Will of the deceased
• The Matron/Governor of an institution where the deceased resided or died

The procedure at the Register Office is very straightforward; the person attending will be asked for the following:

• Date and place of birth and death of the deceased (Birth Certificate)
• Full name of the deceased
• Marital Status of the deceased
• The last occupation of the deceased
• If the deceased was female, her maiden name
• If the deceased was married at the time of death, the date of birth of the surviving partner
• Registrar’s certificate for burial or cremation (a green form) which will be required by the Burial Authority or  Crematorium (if a Funeral Director is to be used then this form should be handed to them)
• Certified Copy of an Entry in the Register of Deaths. Additional copies may be required by each bank or insurance company; a fee is payable for each additional copy. There are a number of other people and/or organisations that will need to be contacted, see People & Organisations to Notify page for further information
• Certificate of Registration (this certificate is needed in order to claim benefits or if the deceased was in receipt of benefits and/or a pension.

REGISTRATION INVOLVING THE CORONER

If the Coroner is involved in investigating the death, registration cannot take place until after initial investigations have been completed. There are a number of different actions that the Coroner may take, and each has a different procedure for registration. The Coroner’s Officer will explain at the time what procedure is being followed and what actions, if any, need to be taken by the person making the funeral arrangements.