Your Questions on how to register a death
Who can register a death in Scotland?
The death can be registered by:
- any relative of the deceased; or
- any person present when the person died; or
- the deceased's executor or other legal representative; or
- the occupier of the property where the person died; or if there is no such person,
- anyone else who knows the information to be registered.
When and Where do I register a death?
Any death which occurs in Scotland must be registered in Scotland within 8 days and can be registered in any registration district in Scotland.
Details of the registration offices within the Stirling Council area are noted below. If in any doubt as to where a death may be registered, please do not hesitate to contact any of these offices, who can provide you with the address and telephone number of any registration office in Scotland.
Where can I get an address for a registration office in Scotland?
A map of all Registrars offices in the Stirling Area gives contact details.The General Register Office of Scotland has information on all Scottish registration offices. You can also check in the phone book, the Yellow Pages (look under Registration Offices or Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages) or the doctor/hospital can tell you.
Can a burial take place before the death has been registered?
A burial can take place before the death is registered. However, the death must be registered before a cremation can take place.
Can a cremation take place before the death is registered?
No, the death must be registered before a cremation can take place.
Do I get an original death certificate free of charge?
After a death registration you will be given a form for the Funeral Director and a form for the Benefits Agency free of charge. Death certificates required for other purposes, such as banks or insurance companies, must be purchased. Certificates purchased at the time or within the current year of registration, cost less than those which are purchased later.
Do I get the doctor's death certificate back?
No, the Form given to you by the doctor is issued only for the purposes of the registrar.
Should I expect the medical certificate of cause of death to be returned to me?
No. The medical certificate of cause of death is given to you solely for the purpose of registering the death. The Registrar will keep this certificate.
Do I
need to attend in person to obtain a death certificate?
No, you do not have to attend in person to obtain a death certificate, but you do need to attend in person to register a death. You may order certificates by telephone using a debit or credit card, by post using a cheque or postal order, or by asking someone to call into the appropriate registration office on your behalf. A death certificate purchased at the time or within the current year of registration costs less than those purchased anytime thereafter, however if you purchase more than one at once, the second and subsequent copies are cheaper. In addition if you already have a death certificate, then you can obtain an additional one at a slightly reduced price if the original is produced to the registrar at the time of ordering.
Do I need to make an appointment if I want to register a death?
If you don't want to risk having to wait, you are advised to make an appointment at a registration office in order to register a death.
How long do I have to register a death?
All deaths in Scotland must be registered within 8 days of occurrence.
How much does it cost to register a death?
There is no fee to register a death. You will be issued with a form for the Funeral Director and a form for the Benefits Agency free of charge. Any other death certificates purchased at the time or within the current year of registration incur a small cost.
I have lost the green form for the Benefits Agency when I registered a death. Can I get another one?
No, the law does not permit a registrar to issue more than one copy of this form. If the Benefits Agency insist that you produce a death certificate then unfortunately you will have to purchase an extract of the entry. Certificates purchased at the time or within the current year of registration, incur a small fee.
If someone who normally lives in Scotland dies outside Scotland, where should I register the death?
You should register the death according to local regulations in the country concerned, and obtain a certificate of death. You may also be able to register the death with the British Consul in that country for a fee and a record of the death will be sent to Scotland. However, there is no obligation for you to register the death with the British Consul. If you do, you would be able to obtain a copy of the death certificate from New Register House.
Someone who is normally resident outside Scotland died whilst on holiday here. Where do I register his death?
If someone dies in Scotland, the death must be registered in the Scottish registration district where the death took place. Please note that it is illegal for the body to be buried or cremated without certain specified documents being issued.
My common law spouse has died, can I register his/her death?
A death can be registered by any relative of the deceased, or any person present when the person died, or the deceased's executor or other legal representative, or the occupier of the premises where the person died. You may be permitted to register your partner's death providing you were both living at the same address and there are no other qualified informants as detailed previously.
What documents should I take to the registrar?
When a death occurs in Scotland, a certified medical practitioner will issue a cause of death certificate to give to the Registrar. This document is called a Form 11.
In addition, the following documents should be taken to the Registration Office:-
- The deceased person's birth and marriage certificates.
- The deceased person's National Health Service (NHS) medical card, if available.
- Any book, certificate or document relating to any pension or allowance which the deceased person received from government / public funds.
Don't worry if any of these documents are not available as the Registrar can still proceed to register the death.
If I am unable to provide the necessary documentation, what information does the Registrar need in order to register a death?
If you are unable to provide the registrar with the necessary documentation, the registrar will require the following information about the deceased, in order to register the death: full name, date, and place of birth; occupation; address; the full names of all spouses and civil partners and their occupations; father's full name and usual occupation; mother's full name, maiden name and usual occupation; name and address of their registered NHS doctor.
Why do you need such detailed information about the deceased person's relatives in order to register their death?
The information required for a death registration is laid down by law. The Registrar General uses this information for statistical purposes and, of course, it provides a valuable genealogical resource for future generations.
What documents will the Registrar issue?
When the registration is complete the registrar will give you free of charge a certificate of registration of death (Form 14) for the Funeral Director who is dealing with the arrangements and a green form (form 334 S1) which needs to be completed and given to the Social Security Benefits Agency.
An abbreviated death certificate is also issued free of charge, which shows name, date of birth, date of death and place of death only. The abbreviated death certificate can be used for limited purposes.
You can get a full copy of the death certificate for the fee of £8.50 each, which can be used for any purpose.
After I have registered a death, what forms will the Registrar give me to take home?
You will be given an abbreviated death certificate together with a Certificate of Registration of Death (form14). This form must be given to the undertaker dealing with the funeral arrangements. You will also get a Benefits Agency Certificate of Registration of Death for DSS purposes, to help in organising pensions, benefits, tax credits etc.
Do your registrar offices open at weekends?
Registration offices do not open for normal registration business on weekends although some offices will be open by prior arrangement on a Saturday for marriage ceremonies.
Why can't I sign the register page with my own pen?
The ink used for registers must be of a quality to ensure a clear and permanent record. Ballpoint pen ink can fade in time and can also be erased. Using the pen provided by the registrar ensures security and longevity of your signature.
What are the penalties for giving false information to a registrar?
Giving false information is a serious offence. Any person who knowingly gives false information in a material particular to a registrar is liable: a) on conviction on indictment, to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or to both; b) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding Level 3 on the standard scale or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months, or to both.
