Book a death registration appointment
You can register a death in person or by phone.
The Medical Examiner or Coroner will contact you to confirm that the death can be registered.
You must register the death within 5 days of being contacted. This includes weekends and bank holidays.
Before you book
- Please check that the Medical Examiner or Coroner has told you that the death can be registered before booking an appointment. If you are not sure if you can register the death, contact the Medical Examiner or the Coroner.
- It may be useful to have the deceased’s identity documents (such as their passport).
- Consider how many death certificates you may need. Certified copies are commonly required by banks, pension providers, insurance companies, solicitors and for probate matters. Death certificates cost £12.50 each and can be ordered as part of the booking process.
Where should I register a death?
For deaths that occurred in East Sussex (excluding Brighton & Hove).
You can register the death by phone or at one of our Register Offices.
For deaths that occurred elsewhere.
You should register with the local registration service where it happened.
For deaths that occurred overseas.
The process of registration is different. For advice visit Register a death (gov.uk).
Who should register?
Usually, this will be a relative or partner of the person who has died, although other people may qualify depending on the circumstances.
For the purposes of death registration, East Sussex means the areas covered by East Sussex County Council. It does not include Brighton & Hove.
A relative or partner can register the death if they:
- were present when the death occurred
- attended the deceased during their last illness
- live in East Sussex where the death is being registered
- are physically in East Sussex at the time the death is registered
Other people who may qualify to register a death include:
- a personal representative of the deceased, such as an executor or administrator dealing with the estate of the deceased
- a person who was present at the death
- the occupier or manager of the premises where the death occurred
- someone living at those premises who was aware of the death
- the person arranging the funeral
Can I register by Phone?
You must meet one of the informant qualifications listed above.
The registrar will call you during a window from 10 minutes before your appointment time until 30 minutes after your appointment time. You must be in a quiet place where you can speak freely and provide the information needed to complete the registration.
You will need to provide accurate information about the person who has died.
The registrar may end the appointment and arrange another booking if the telephone connection is poor or it is not possible to complete the registration effectively.
If incorrect information is given during the registration and a correction is required later, a statutory correction fee will apply.
What will the registrar ask?
| Details required | Guidance notes |
|---|---|
| Date of death | The date you understand the death took place on. |
| Place of death | The name of the hospital or nursing home, the name or number of the house, the name of the street and town. Death can take place in an ambulance, car or some other place without a recognised address. You would need to provide further details. The registrar will provide guidance. |
| Name and surname | The name the deceased was known by at the time of their death. You should also provide any other names the deceased was or has been known by. |
| Sex | Male or Female. |
| Maiden surname of a woman who has married | If the deceased was a woman, this is the surname in which she contracted her first marriage. |
| Date of birth | Be as accurate as possible, but if the exact date is not known please provide approximate date. |
| Place of birth | The town and county (or London borough). If they were born outside of the UK, the registrar only needs to know the country. |
| Occupation | The deceased’s most recent or main occupation. You should also tell the registrar if the deceased was retired. |
| Marital status | If the deceased was married or in a civil partnership, at the time of their death. What are/were the names of their spouse or civil partner (including if they are deceased). |
| Usual address | Including the name or number of the house, name of the street, town and county. |
Funeral arrangements
Once the death has been registered, the authorisation required for burial or cremation will be issued free of charge and sent directly to the funeral director you have chosen. You do not need to collect this document or arrange for it to be delivered to your funeral director.
Tell Us Once
After registering the death, you can access Tell Us Once, a free Government service.
This allows you to notify local and central government about a death, in one simple step.
Agencies that can be notified through the scheme include those responsible for,
- Income Support
- Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Pension Credits
- Council tax
- Housing benefit
- Other state benefits
- The electoral register
- Disabled blue badges
- Bus passes
- Driving licences
The Registrar will give you a unique reference number. This will enable you to access Tell Us Once (gov.uk).
Tell Us Once is not a claim to benefit, please contact Benefits (gov.uk) or the relevant department for advice.
Tell Us Once does not notify any commercial organisations of the death.
Tell Us Once cannot arrange for redirection of post.
