Register a death
There is no charge to register a death.
Death registrations are carried out at a face to face appointment and you will need to make an appointment to register a death in Cheshire West and Chester
Before you register a death
Before a death can be registered, Cheshire West and Chester Registration Service must receive documents from either, a medical examiner, or the coroner's office.
Hospital and medical examiner
If the cause of death is known, the hospital or GP should inform the medical examiner - this is a senior doctor who provides independent scrutiny of the cause of death. When the medical examiner has reviewed the cause, they will approve the documents to be sent to us at the Register Office.
The medical examiner will contact the informant to discuss the cause of death and any concerns. Please do not book an appointment until you have received this phone call.
The coroner
If the death has been reported to the coroner, they will advise when the death can be registered.
When you have had confirmation that the death can be registered, you can book an appointment at the Register Office.
You should normally register the death within five days of being notified that the necessary paperwork has been sent to the registrars
You can also make your appointment to register a death by ringing 0300 123 7037.
The appointment will take around half an hour.
To help ensure the accuracy of the information recorded, it is useful to have the correct details ready before your appointment:
- date of death
- place of death - the name of the hospital, nursing home or full address
- full name - the name they were know at the time of death, if they were known by any other name
- gender
- maiden name of women who have married
- date of birth
- place of birth
- occupation
- if the deceased is married, in a legal civil partnership or widowed
- their usual address
- if the deceased is married, in a legal civil partnership or widowed the name and surname and occupation of their spouse/partner
- date of birth of surviving spouse/partner
To help ensure the accuracy of the information recorded in the register and reduce future corrections, it is useful to bring the following identity documents for the deceased person if you have them.
- birth certificate or passport
- driving licence
- marriage or civil partnership certificate
If you do not have these documents the registrar can still proceed with the registration.
Death certificates
Once the registration is complete the registrar will provide you with:
- A certificate for burial or cremation when appropriate
- A ‘Tell us once’ reference number
You may purchase death certificates (certified copy of death entry) at the appointment, the cost is £12.50 per certificate.
Certificates can also be ordered online after the appointment, the cost is £12.50 each.
We will accept email orders for copy certificates, but these will be dealt with as lower priority and would encourage all customers to order online if they can, email: chesterregisteroffice@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk.
Who should register a death
Most deaths are registered by a relative. In some cases other people may be able to register.
This includes:
- the partner of the deceased, if living at the same address as the deceased
- a person present at the death
- a person making arrangements with the funeral directors
- an administrator from the hospital or elderly person’s home.
- a representative of the deceased e.g a Solicitor or executor
Registering by declaration
A death is normally registered in the area where it occurred. If this is not convenient it may be possible to attend a register office elsewhere in England and Wales. However this may lead to a delay in receiving any documents for the funeral.
Further information
Further information is available on the Gov.UK website.