How to Get a Death Certificate in the UK

After someone dies, you'll quickly discover that almost every organisation you need to deal with — banks, solicitors, pension providers, insurance companies — will ask for a death certificate. Understanding what a death certificate is, how to get one, and how many you need can save you time and stress at an already difficult moment.

This guide explains the different types of death certificate, how they are issued, what they cost, and how to get additional copies if you need them later.

What is a death certificate?

The term "death certificate" is used loosely to refer to several different documents. It helps to understand the distinction between them.

The medical certificate of cause of death (MCCD) is the document issued by a doctor confirming the cause of death. This is given to you (or sent directly to the register office) shortly after the death occurs. You will need this to register the death, but it is not the same as the certified death certificate that organisations will ask to see.

The certified copy of the entry in the register of deaths — commonly called the "death certificate" — is the official document issued by the registrar when you register the death. This is what banks, solicitors, and other organisations mean when they ask for a death certificate.

There is also the Certificate for Burial or Cremation (the "green form"), which the registrar issues at the same time. This is needed by the funeral director but is not used for administrative purposes.

How do you get a death certificate?

Certified copies of the death certificate are issued when you register the death at the local register office. In England and Wales, you must register the death within five days (eight days in Scotland). The registrar will offer you the option to purchase certified copies during the appointment.

You can order as many copies as you need at this point. It's generally much cheaper and easier to order them during the registration appointment than to request them later.

How much does a death certificate cost?

In England and Wales, each certified copy costs £11 when ordered at the time of registration. If you order copies later, the cost is typically £11 per copy plus a search fee, which varies by local authority.

In Scotland, certified copies cost £10 each when ordered at the time of registration, and £15 each if ordered later through the National Records of Scotland.

In Northern Ireland, the cost is £15 per copy.

These prices are correct as of 2025/26, but it's worth checking with your local register office as fees can change.

How many death certificates do you need?

This is one of the most common questions families have, and the answer is: more than you think. We would recommend ordering at least five copies, and possibly more if the estate is complex.

Organisations that typically require an original certified copy include banks and building societies, the deceased's employer or pension provider, life insurance companies, mortgage lenders, solicitors handling the estate, HM Land Registry (if property is involved), and investment or share registrars.

Some organisations will accept a photocopy, a scanned copy, or will return the original after inspection. Others insist on keeping an original. If you're dealing with multiple banks, a pension, and property, you can easily need five or six copies just to avoid waiting for one to be returned before sending it to the next organisation.

Ordering extra copies upfront is always cheaper and faster than requesting them later.

What information is on a death certificate?

A certified death certificate in England and Wales contains the deceased's full name, date and place of death, date and place of birth, occupation, usual address, the cause of death (as stated on the medical certificate), the name and qualification of the person who certified the death, and the date of registration.

How to order extra copies later

If you didn't order enough copies at the time of registration, or if you've lost one, you can order additional certified copies later.

In England and Wales, you can order copies online through the General Register Office (GRO) at gov.uk/order-copy-birth-death-marriage-certificate. You can also order by post or telephone. You will need to provide details about the deceased (full name, date of death, and place of death) to help locate the record. Online orders are usually delivered within a few working days.

In Scotland, contact the National Records of Scotland (nrscotland.gov.uk) to order copies.

In Northern Ireland, contact the General Register Office for Northern Ireland (nidirect.gov.uk).

What if the death was referred to a coroner?

If the death was referred to a coroner, the registration process may be delayed. In these cases, the coroner's office can issue an interim certificate (sometimes called a coroner's certificate or Form 100B) that allows you to begin dealing with banks and other organisations while you wait for the full registration to take place.

Once the coroner's investigation is complete and the death is registered, you can then obtain standard certified copies in the usual way.

What about the medical certificate of cause of death?

The MCCD is issued by a doctor and is needed to register the death. Since September 2024, a medical examiner must review all deaths in England and Wales before the MCCD is issued. This is a routine process designed to improve the accuracy of death certification and does not delay the process significantly.

You will usually receive the MCCD from the hospital or GP surgery. Some offices now send it electronically to the register office directly.

How Passage can help

Passage helps UK families manage every practical step after a bereavement, including understanding which documents you need and when. Our guided plan tracks your progress and reminds you what to do next, so you don't have to figure it all out on your own.

Start your free plan and let us help you navigate what comes next.