Registering a death  - Central Bedfordshire Council

Registering a death

How to book your appointment

All deaths must be registered within 5 days
What documents do I need?
How can I book an appointment with the Registrar?

General information on how to register a death

Where can I register a death?

All deaths should be registered within five days unless a coroner is investigating the circumstances of the death.

All deaths must be registered with the Registrar of Births and Deaths in the area where the death occurred. If the death occurred in Central Bedfordshire or Bedford Borough, but you live elsewhere, you can register the death by making a declaration to any Registrar of Births and Deaths in England or Wales. They will forward the details of the death and any certificate fee to the correct registration district, who will record the event and issue a certificate by post.

Who can register a death?

A relative of the deceased
A person present at the death
The occupier of the house or institution where the death took place (if there is not anyone more qualified to register)
The person who is arranging the funeral (that is, the person instructing the funeral director)

What documents do I need to bring?

The medical certificate issued by the doctor or hospital.

The following documents are not essential but could be useful in completing the registration

The deceased's birth certificate
Medical card
Marriage certificate (if applicable)
Civil partnership certificate (if applicable)

If you are having a Tell Us Once appointment with your death registration appointment you will also need to bring:

National Insurance Number
Passport (if applicable)
Driving Licence-both parts (if applicable)
A list of benefits/services received by the deceased

Questions you will be asked:

When and where did the death occur?
The name and address of the deceased person?
If the deceased was a woman who has been married, her maiden name?
The deceased's date and place of birth?
Their occupation?
If the deceased was married or widowed, the full name and occupation of the spouse?
If married, the date of birth of the surviving spouse?
If the deceased was in a civil partnership, the name, date of birth and occupation of the partner?

What will the Registrar give you?

a green form to be given to the funeral director if the corner has not already issued a cremation form.
a white BD8 form to be completed and sent by you, with any benefit or pension details to the Department of Work and Pensions.

The white and green forms are issued free of charge.

Informing other Government departments (Tell us Once)

Book an appointment to register a death

Death certificates

A death certificate costs £4.00 on the day of registration, £7.00 whilst the Registrar holds the register and then £10.00 if you purchase after the register has been closed. Payment can be made by cash, cheque or postal order made payable to Central Bedfordshire Council.

Stillbirths

A stillbirth must be registered in any of the offices within the district where the event took place normally within 42 days.

For further information contact the Superintendent Registrar on 0300 300 8089 or email: life.events@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk.

Booking your appointment

You can either book online using the button above, or you can call us on 0300 300 8089.

You may bring a friend or relative with you, please do not worry about the registration, if you are upset the registrar will understand and give you the time you need.

The Registration Services for both Central Bedfordshire and Bedford Borough are a shared service hosted by Central Bedfordshire Council. You can therefore book an appointment at any of the offices in either of these districts. Please note that some offices are not open every day of the week .