Who to Inform?
Registering the death
When a person dies, someone must contact a doctor, but who else should be informed? The doctor issues a certificate stating the cause of death, along with a document outlining who is eligible to register the death. You must register the death within five days by contacting the Registrar of Births, Deaths, and Marriages where the death took place.
If the doctor sends the medical certificate directly to the Registrars, then allow a few days for it to arrive before attending. Whilst at the Registrar’s, ask for several copies of the death certificate. Also request a ‘green form’ to give to the funeral director so he can collect the deceased from the mortuary and organise the funeral arrangements.
Then, a copy of the Death Certificate should be sent to:
- Company pensions/personal pension providers
- Inspector of Taxes
- Banks and Building Societies of joint accounts
- Company Registrars of joint shareholdings
Inform the following:
- The local authority (with, if appropriate, a claim made for reduction due to single occupancy)
- Credit card companies (confirmation sought that the survivors’ cards are still valid)
- Doctor’s surgery and hospital attended by the deceased
- The DVLA of the change of ownership by completing the relevant section of the vehicle registration document
Motor vehicle insurers (and confirmation obtained that the car can be driven) - Department for Work and Pensions
Return the following:
- The deceased’s driver’s licence should be returned to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1AL
- The deceased’s passport should be sent to The Passport Office, 101 Old Hall Street, Liverpool, L3 9BD
