How and where you can register a death, and which information you will need to provide.
A death must be registered within five days. This period can be extended in exceptional circumstances and if the coroner is involved. The registration must take place in the district where the death happened. As Oxfordshire is a single district, this can be at any of the your local office around the county
If it is difficult to get to the appropriate registration office, you may visit your local office and declare the necessary information. Please note that the registration by declaration may result in a delay in the issue of the document needed for the funeral arrangements. For further advice please telephone the Registration Service helpline on 0845 129 5900
We run an appointment system - you will need to call the Registration Service helpline on 0845 129 5900 or go online to make an appointment at your most convenient register office in Oxfordshire.
If the death occurred at one of the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals, the bereavement officers may be able to book an appointment for you to register the death at the John Radcliffe Hospital.
A death can only be registered once you have the Medical Cause of Death Certificate from the doctor, or in the case of a death reported to the coroner, confirmation from the coroner's office that the relevant paperwork has been issued to us.
If there is an inquest, or the death has to be referred to the Coroner, the Coroner's officer or Registrar will advise you.
If you require information on deaths that happen abroad, please visit the Foreign Commonwealth Office (FCO) website for further information.
Who can register the death?
a relative of the deceased
someone who was present at the death
the person who is arranging the funeral
the occupier of the establishment where the death took place.
What information will you be required to give the registrar?
About the deceased:
the date and place of death
their full name and any other names they are known by or have been known by (the maiden name of a woman who has been married)
their date and place of birth
their occupation (if married, widowed or a civil partner, the full name and occupation of their spouse or civil partner)
their usual address
date of birth of surviving spouse or civil partner
whether they were in receipt of any public sector pension, e.g. civil service, teacher, armed forces (reference number if known).
their NHS number or medical card, if available
About the person registering:
your relationship to the deceased
your full name
your usual address
All information is given to the best of your knowledge.
How long will the appointment last?
The meeting with the Registrar will take approximately 30 minutes.
What certificates are issued?
A certificate for burial or cremation, known as the green form, which the funeral director will need
A certificate for the Benefits Agency. You will need to complete this and send it to off to cancel the deceased's state pension and any other state allowances.
Death certificates. You may need certified copies of the death entry for other purposes (dealing with the will, probate, bank accounts, insurance and so on. There is a small charge for these certificates.
After the information has been written into the death register, the registrar will issue the necessary forms and certificates.
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