Registering A Death
Changes to Death Registration from September 2024
In September 2024, the process for registering a death in England and Wales changed. These updates are important for families and patients, and aim to make the system more accurate. Here’s a simple guide to help you understand what this means.
1. Independent Review of All Deaths
When someone dies, a medical examiner or a coroner will now check every death. This review is done to make sure the cause of death is correct. It also gives families a chance to ask questions if they have concerns about their loved one’s care.
2. Death Certificates Will Be Reviewed
After the doctor completes a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD), a medical examiner reviews it. Once approved, the certificate is sent to the registrar, who officially records the death. This extra step helps ensure accuracy.
3. What This Means for Families
Once the medical examiner finishes the review, the family or representative of the deceased will be notified. After that, you can arrange to officially register the death. This needs to happen within five days of the death being confirmed.
Register a death - Liverpool City Council
4. More Time for Registration
Because of the new checks, it may take a little longer to register a death than it used to. However, this process ensures that all deaths are reviewed thoroughly, which helps improve the accuracy of death certificates.
5. Who Can Register the Death?
Under the new rules, the deceased person’s partner or their legal representative can now register the death. This change allows more people to help with this important task.
6. Simplified Cremation Process
If the person who passed away is being cremated, the medical examiner will now handle everything. This replaces the previous check done by a different medical referee, making the process simpler.
Why These Changes Matter
These updates help make sure that the cause of death is correct and give families more support during a difficult time.
These changes are designed to make the death registration process smoother and more transparent for everyone involved.
Registrars Information
The registrar must have received:
The medical certificate of cause of death (unless the coroner or procurator fiscal has issued their document directly to the registrar).
If possible, you should also take the following documents. They are not absolutely essential but provide much of the additional information you need for the registration, but do not delay registering just because you cannot find this paperwork.
-NHS card (also called the medical card)
-Birth certificate
-Driving license
-Council tax bill
-Marriage or civil partnership certificate -If possible please take the National Insurance number of the deceased and the number of a surviving spouse or civil partner.
-Passport
-Proof of address (e.g. utility bill).
When you see the registrar, they will be as helpful as they can in registering the death.
They will require the following information about the deceased:
-Date and place of the death
-The address of the person
-Their full names (including the maiden name of a married woman).
-Any former married names or other names by which the deceased was known can also be recorded.
-Where and when they were born (the town or county is sufficient if the exact address is not known).
-Only the country of origin is required for people born outside the United Kingdom.
-Their occupation
-Details of their wife or husband or civil partner
-Whether they had any government pension or other benefits.
While it is not essential, you should also take supporting documents that show your name and address (e.g. a utility bill) but you can still register a death without them. The registration process will take approximately 30 minutes.
Local Register Offices
Waterloo Register Office
Crosby Town Hall, Great Georges Road Waterloo L22 1RB
Please telephone to make an appointment on 0151 934 3044. Opening hours
Monday 9.15am to 5.30pm; Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 9.15am to 4pm
Liverpool Register Office
St George's Hall (Heritage Entrance)
St George's Place
Liverpool L1 1JJ
Please telephone to make an appointment on 0151 233 3004.
Southport Register Office
Corporation Street Southport PR8 1DA
Please telephone to make an appointment on 0151 934 2011/2013. Opening hours
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 9.15am to 4pm Tuesday 9.15am to 5.30pm
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