How to Get a Copy of a Death Certificate in the UK

All deaths are registered in the UK with the General Register.

All deaths in England and Wales since 1837 are registered with the General Register Office. Deaths are also recorded at the local register office in the town where the death occurred. To receive a death certificate copy, you must know the name of the deceased, when he died, and where he died. You can order death certificate copies online, by mail or by phone.

Instructions

1. Go to the Direct.gov.uk website. Look under "Government, citizens, and rights" and click on "Deaths." On the right-hand side of the next screen, click "Order death certificate." Click "certificate ordering service" on the next screen. You will be taken to the online ordering system. You will need your debit or credit card and a valid email address. You will have to register for a free account on the site before you order. The death certificate costs £9.25, and you will receive a copy within 15 working days. If you order by 4 p.m. you can receive a copy the next working day by first class post for £23.40.

2. Call [phone] to order a death certificate. The hours are Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ordering by phone costs the same as online ordering. The death certificate costs £9.25, and you will receive a copy within 15 working days. If you order by 4 p.m. you can receive a copy the next working day by first class post for £23.40.

3. Request a death certificate by mail. You will need the death certificate mail-in form. You can get the form by emailing [e-mail]. Place "GQ" in the subject line of your email. State your name, address, and that you need a death certificate form mailed to you in the body of your email. You can also request a mail-in form by calling [phone]. Once you receive the form, complete it, and mail it to:

   General Register Office, PO Box 2, Southport, Merseyside, PR8 2JD. Enclose a check or money order payable to "IPS" for £9.25. You will receive your death certificate copy within 15 days.

References

• Direct.gov: Death Certificates