Registering a Death in Scotland
Registering a death in Scotland
A death must be registered within eight days of its occurrence and can be registered at any registration office in Scotland if it took place in Scotland. North Ayrshire offices have an appointment system for registration business.
Who can register a death?
A death can be registered by:
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Any relative of the deceased.
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Any person present at the death.
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The deceased's executor or other legal representative.
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The occupier, at the time of death, of the premises where the death took place.
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If there is no person as above, anyone having knowledge of the particulars to be registered.
Documents to be produced when registering a death
When registering a death the following documents are needed:
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The medical certificate of cause of death (Form 11) issued by the doctor
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The birth certificate of the deceased (if available).
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If deceased had been married or been in a registered civil partnership, the marriage or civil partnership certificate of the deceased (if available).
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The deceased's medical card. If not available, the name of the deceased's registered doctor.
Do not delay registering a death if these documents are not available. The registration can take place without them.
If you wish to make use of the new Tell Us Once Service, the deceased's National Insurance Number will be required along with the following (where relevant):
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Passport/ Passport Number
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Driving Licence
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Blue Badge
The Tell Us Once service can notifiy the relevant departments and organisations where the deceased:
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was in receipt of a State Pension
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was a member of the local library
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was in receipt of any benefits/allowances such Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Carer's Allowance, Working/child Tax Credits, Child Benefit, Council Tax Rebate or Housing Benefit
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was a War Pensioner
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had input from Social Services i.e. Home Helps, Occupational Therapy Equipment or had an allocated Social Worker
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was a Council Tenant
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was subject to Personal Taxation
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was on the Voter's Roll
Tell Us Once is usually carried out by the deceased's Next of Kin (closest relative by blood or marriage to the deceased) or the person dealing with their estate. In order to provide us with the information necessary for this service, you must obtain permission from these persons if they wish you to act on their behalf.
The information you give will be treated securely and confidentially. The organisations who are contacted will use the information to update records; to end services, benefits and credits as appropriate; and to resolve any outstanding issues. They may use this information in other ways, but only as the law allows. Our privavcy statement tells you how we will use and protect the information you provide when you use the Tell Us Once service. If you wish to see the full privacy statement, contact a Department for Work and Pensions Adviser on 0800 085 7308.
This number is free from BT landlines but other providers, including mobile phone providers, may charge you.
Documents issued by the registrar once a death is registered
There is no fee to register a death. After registering a death the registrar will issue the following, free of charge:
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A certificate of registration of death (Form 14). This must be taken to the funeral director.
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A white form (BD8). *This should be posted to:
The Pension Service
PO Box 5
Glasgow
G90 8BE
*Please note - if you have used the Tell Us Once Service there is no need to complete and post the form BD8 as the Department for Work and Pensions will already have been notified.
You don't need to visit the local Jobcentre Plus Office to enquire about benefit entitlement. Benefit enquiries have been centralised and contact numbers are detailed below.
Bereavement benefits - 0845 60 88 602.
Bereavement Benefits include Bereavement Payment, Widowed Parent's Allowance and Bereavement Allowance
The pension service, Motherwell - 0845 60 60 265
To be used when the person who has died was over pension age, or their spouse/partner is over pension age.
Alternatively you may telephone - 01292 666052 or 01292 666090
Bereavement interview appointment - 0845 60 88 632
Where face-to-face support is required at the local Jobcentre Plus office.
Income support, job seekers allowance or incapacity benefits – 0845 60 88 632.
Contact when the person who has died was in receipt of one of the above benefits or their spouse/partner is currently receiving one of these benefits.
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An abbreviated death certificate (this will be accepted by banks only)
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The registrar will notify the council tax department and the electoral registration office of the death.
The registrar will be able to issue full death certificates if required. These are for the deceased's personal business e.g. insurance policies, building society accounts. The cost of an certificate at the time of registration (or up to one monthe from the date of the registration) is £10.00. Thereafter the statutory fee of £15.00 per certificate will apply unless an original extract (abbreviated or full) is shown at the time of purchase.
Advice leaflets produced by Help the Aged and the Scottish Executive are available at registration offices.
These leaflets gives advice on:
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Grief
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Difficult times and feelings
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Picking up the pieces
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Looking after yourself
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Things that need to be done
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Practical Concerns
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Preparing for the death of someone close to you
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Looking to the future
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Useful Contacts
Alternatively you can email the Information Resources Team of Help the Aged .
Death in Scotland – burial or cremation in England or Wales
Documents issued are either:-
A - Certificate of no liability to register
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You can get this from the registrar of the sub district in England or Wales where the burial is to take place.
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The certificate is issued on production of *documentary evidence of the place and cause of death. You will then have to sign a declaration form at the registrar's Office in England or Wales.
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*Documentary evidence could be in the form of a death certificate or a letter from the Procurator Fiscal in Scotland.
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There is no fee payable to the registrar for issuing a certificate of no liability to register .
alternatively
B - Cremation 6 Form
Authorising the burial or cremation is issued by the coroner in England or Wales.
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The declaration must be signed by you. It will contain a statement that no coroner's inquest is intended to be held. If there is then the removal of the body could be delayed.
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If there is to be a cremation then the authority of a medical referee at the crematorium is also needed as well as the above.
Death in England or Wales – burial or cremation in Scotland
If a person wishes to remove a body from England or Wales they must give notice of intention to the coroner (in whose area the body lies) in a proper form as undernoted:
A - A certificate given by the registrar in England or Wales that the death has been registered.
B - A coroner's order for burial or certificate for cremation
Where can the Notice of Intention be obtained from?
A coroner or a registrar in England or Wales.
Process for removal of body
The coroner acknowledges receipt of Notice of Intention. However the body must not be removed before a period of 4 clear days has expired after the Notice was received by the coroner.
Coroner decides not to hold an inquest
The body may be removed at any time once the acknowledgement has been received from the person it is addressed to, even if the four clear day period has notexpired.
Coroner decides to hold an inquest
It is illegal to remove the body until the Coroner has dealt with the inquest, even if four clear days notice has elapsed.
As soon as this stage is reached and four clear days have elapsed then the body can be removed from England or Wales.
Finally the person who has been given authority to remove the body for burial/cremation in Scotland should be warned to keep hold of any acknowledgement or certificate. This should be ready to produce on demand to the keeper of the cemetery or superintendent of the crematorium.
Death in Scotland – burial or cremation abroad
Some countries require a Letter of Comfort before they will allow a body into a country for burial. This letter, if issued, confirms no infectious disease was present in the body. This letter is issued by the Environmental Health Officer of area where the person died.
If there is an investigation or a requirement by certain countries then this will involve the Procurator Fiscal . After investigation they will issue a Furth of Scotland letter to the undertaker or person removing the body.
Any documentation issued by the Environmental Health Officer or the Procurator Fiscal must accompany the body.
Every country has its own regulations so it is advisable to contact the Embassy or Consulate in the first instance.
Death Abroad - burial or cremation in Scotland
The death should be registered according to local regulations in the country where the person died and obtain a local death certificate. It should then be registered with the British Consul, so that a record of the death will be sent to Scotland. You will be able to get a copy of the death certificate at a later date from The Registrar General Office for Scotland, New Register House, 3 West Register Street, Edinburgh, EH1 3YT Tel : 0131 334 0380
www.gro-scotland.gov.uk
Mortuary Service
There is a Mortuary Service in every hospital.
Common Circumstances dealt with by the Mortuary Service are as follows :
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No medical death certificate issued due to unacertained death or suspicious circumstances.
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The Police casualty surgeon is involved and he could report certain deaths to the Procurator Fiscal. However he may still be in a position to release the body to the Funeral Director.
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There is no next of kin for the deceased.