Registration of Death

Registration takes place at a meeting between a relative/person making the funeral arrangements and the Registrar at a Register Office local to where the deceased passed away.

Any death that occurs in the community or in a care home will be overseen by the Medical Examiner and the doctors’ surgery caring for the patient prior to death.  Once the death has been verified by a medical professional (on call doctor/ district nurse/ care manager or similar) the relevant doctor’s surgery and the ME (Medical Examiner) will be informed of the death.

The Medical Examiner will contact the relative/next of kin/person making the funeral arrangements to discuss what will be recorded on the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death and this will be emailed directly to the Registrar.  Once you know the Certificate has been emailed, you should contact the Registrar's Office within 5 days to arrange a face-to-face meeting.  

A  death in a hospital is managed the same as in the community, but with the ME being situated at the hospital, he/she will work closely with the hospital bereavement team to look after and advise the family, including arranging a registration appointment.                                                                                                            

Information Required by the Registrar:

• Full name of the person who has died including maiden name if applicable

• Date and place of Birth

• Usual address

• Date and place of death

• Occupation

• Marital status

• Name and occupation of marital/civil partner

• Date of birth of marital/civil partner

• Type of State Pension or Allowances/Benefits

Documents to take with you if available:

• Medical Card (if available)

• Birth Certificate (if available)

• Marriage Certificate (if available/applicable)

• Reference number of any Government Pension other than the normal State Pension

After the meeting, the Registrar will issue a Certificate for Burial or Cremation (known as 'The Green Form') and email it directly to us - this is the document which we require  to arrange the funeral.  (If the Coroner has been informed, and a post-mortem has taken place, the Green Form may not be issued at this point.  We can advise you further on the next steps in this situation).

The Registrar will also ask you how many copies of the Death Certificate you require.  These will be needed to deal with any legal and financial matters concerning the deceased's estate.  Anything that would normally require the deceased's, or their representative's, signature to release funds, or cancel an action, will require the production of a Death Certificate to legally confirm that the person has died.  There is a charge for each copy of the Death Certificate.

• Tell Us Once – is a service for which the Registrar will give you the details once you have registered.  You may access this online, or by telephone to notify government organisations of the death eg Department of Work and Pensions, Passport Office and the DVLA etc. The deceased’s date of birth and National Insurance Number will be required.

The registration call centre looks after appointments in the following offices and the  number for this is 0345 155 1002.

Honiton Registrar 
East Devon Business Centre, Heathpark Way,  Heathpark, Honiton EX14 1SF

Exeter Registrar 
Larkbeare House, Topsham Road, Exeter EX2 4NG                                                                                                                       

Exmouth Registrar   
Town Hall, St Andrew's Road,  Exmouth EX8 1AW                                                               

Opening Hours will vary    
Email:  register@devon.gov.uk Website: new.devon.gov.uk/registrationservice