Registering a Death
Following the implementation of the statutory Medical Examiner service on 9th September 2024, all deaths that occur in England and Wales, where there is no Coroner involvement, must be referred to the Medical Examiner service for independent scrutiny prior to registration.
The Medical Examiner will contact the designated next of kin to discuss the cause of death and any concerns they may have before forwarding the paperwork to the relevant register office to allow registration to take place.
Upon receipt of the paperwork from the Medical Examiner/Coroner, the Registrar will call the next of kin to offer an appointment to attend to register, Deaths should be registered within 5 days of the Registrar receiving the necessary paperwork from the ME’s office.
Deaths are usually registered by a relative or personal representative of the deceased, the Registrar will discuss this with you when they contact you.
Please note Registrations are by appointment only.
Bridgend County
If the person passed away at the hospital or at home anywhere within Bridgend County Borough, you will need to register the death at Bridgend Register Office.
Bridgend Register Office, Civic Offices, Angel Street, Bridgend CF31 4WB
Tel: 01656 642391
Email: registrar@bridgend.gov.uk
Opening Times: Monday – Friday, 9.30 a.m. – 4.00 p.m.
Rhondda Cynon Taf
Please telephone Pontypridd Register Office for an appointment at all offices before attending.
Pontypridd Register Office, Municipal Building, Gelliwastad Road, Pontypridd CF37 2DP
Tel: 01443 494024
Pontypridd hours of attendance:
Monday to Friday 9.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m.
Vale of Glamorgan
Vale of Glamorgan Register Office, Civic Offices, Holton Road, Barry
CF63 4RU
Tel: 01446 700111
Email: RegistrationService@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk
Opening Hours:
Monday to Thursday 8.30 a.m. – 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 – 4.00 p.m.
Friday 8.30 a.m. – 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 – 4.00 p.m.
Do I have to register the death in the area where it happened?
Yes, the death needs to be registered in the county where the death occurred. If you do not live near the county where the death occurred, there is an option for a death to be registered by declaration at your local register office. The registrar will discuss this with you when they contact you.
Who can register a death?
The primary responsibility for registering a death rests with a nearest relative of the deceased person. If no relative is available, please contact your local register office for advice.
Can I purchase Death Certificates when I attend?
You can purchase death certificates when you register a death. They accept payment by cash, cheque or debit/credit card.
What if the Coroner is involved?
Any death which has been, or needs to be reported to the Coroner may not be registered until written clearance has been received by the Registrar. In such cases, the issue of a certificate for burial or cremation may be delayed.
What will the Registrar need?
The Registrar will need the following information:
- Full names and surname, including previous names if applicable
- Date and place of birth
- Occupation
- Address
- Whether they were receiving a government pension or other benefits
- Name, date of birth and occupation of any spouse or civil partner if the deceased was married or in a civil partnership
- NHS medical card if possible
Tell Us Once Service
This service is designed to help bereaved families inform other council departments and government organisations about the death at the time of registration so they do not need to make other appointments to see lots of different departments and organisations at a later time. You will need to bring the deceased’s passport, driving licence and national insurance card with you to your appointment if you wish to take up this service.