Free Guide

Tell Us Once: How to Notify Government After a Death

One service that tells multiple government departments about a death — saving you hours of phone calls and letters.

5 min read

What is Tell Us Once?

Tell Us Once is a free government service that lets you report a death to most government departments in one go. Instead of contacting the DWP, HMRC, DVLA, council, and passport office individually, you do it once — online or by phone.

You get a reference number when you register the death at the register office. You then use this number to access Tell Us Once, either online or by calling 0800 085 7308.

Use it as soon as possible. The sooner government departments are notified, the sooner benefits stop (avoiding overpayments that need to be repaid) and records are updated.

How to use Tell Us Once

Register the death

When you register the death at the register office, the registrar will give you a Tell Us Once reference number.

Go online or call

Visit the GOV.UK Tell Us Once page or call 0800 085 7308. You will need your reference number, the deceased's details, and information about their benefits/services.

Enter the details

Provide the deceased person's National Insurance number, driving licence number, passport number, and details of any benefits they received.

Departments are notified

Tell Us Once automatically contacts DWP, HMRC, DVLA, Passport Office, local council, and others. You will get a confirmation of which departments were notified.

What you need before you start

Your Tell Us Once reference number (from the registrar)
The deceased person's National Insurance number
Their date of birth and date of death
Driving licence number (if they had one)
Passport number (if they had one)
Details of any benefits or tax credits they received
Details of any council services (council tax, blue badge, etc.)

Don't worry if you don't have everything. You can skip fields you don't know — Tell Us Once will still notify the departments you have information for. You can always contact individual departments later.

What Tell Us Once covers

Covered

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) — stops benefits and pensions
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) — tax records and tax credits
DVLA — cancels driving licence
HM Passport Office — cancels passport
Local council — council tax, housing benefit, electoral roll, blue badge, library card
Veterans UK — armed forces compensation
Identity and Passport Service

✕Not covered

Banks and building societies
Insurance companies
Private pension providers
Utility companies (gas, electric, water, broadband)
Employers
Mortgage providers
Subscriptions and memberships
Social media accounts

Tell Us Once does not cover banks, utilities, or insurers. You still need to contact these separately. The Death Notification Service can help notify some banks and insurance companies. Passage creates a personalised list of exactly who you need to contact.

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Common questions about Tell Us Once

Is Tell Us Once free?

Yes. Tell Us Once is a free government service. There is no charge to use it.

Can I use Tell Us Once online?

Yes. You can use Tell Us Once online at GOV.UK or by phone (0800 085 7308). The registrar will give you a unique reference number when you register the death — you need this to use the service.

Does Tell Us Once notify banks?

No. Tell Us Once only notifies government departments. You need to contact banks, utilities, insurance companies, and pension providers separately. The Death Notification Service (deathnotificationservice.co.uk) can help with some banks and insurers.

Does Tell Us Once work in Scotland?

Yes. Tell Us Once is available in Scotland and works the same way as in England and Wales. You get your reference number from the registrar when you register the death.

What if I forgot to use Tell Us Once?

You can still use it after registering the death, as long as you have your Tell Us Once reference number. If you have lost the reference number, contact the Tell Us Once helpline on 0800 085 7308.