There is a whole world of feelings, questions and worries when someone we love passes away. As next of kin, you may wonder how to go about obtaining a death certificate. It may not be at the top of your priorities when processing your loss, but you do need to acquire the certification relatively soon. This blog looks at all you need to know about getting a certificate.
What is a Death Certificate?
A death certificate is a certificate issued following a death in the UK. It is a copy of the death registry records and is needed before a funeral can be arranged and an estate can be dealt with. In the UK, a certificate must be registered within five days of the death.
How to Get a Certificate
The first thing to do is to register the death at the registry office local to the deceased. You will need to provide identification such as a passport or driving licence and declare your relationship to the deceased. You should also provide identification for the deceased, such as:
- Driving licence
- Passport
- Birth certificate
- Marriage or civil partnership certificate
- NHS medical card
- Proof of address (bank statement/utility bill / HMRC correspondence)
- A medical certificate provided by a doctor confirming the cause of death.
While most deaths are usually registered by family, they can also be registered by:
- A person who witnessed the death
- The hospital in which they died (if applicable)
- A person in charge of the funeral plans
It is free to register a death, but there is a small charge to obtain the certificate.
Why is a Certificate Needed?
A certificate must be provided for a burial or cremation to occur, and the funeral arranger will need to see it. You also need a death certificate in order to begin the probate process. The executor of an estate will also need to provide a copy of the certificate to any organisation they are dealing with. This may be financial companies, such as banks, insurance and pension providers and utility companies. Many of these will require an original copy, so purchasing more than one copy of the certificate is something you may wish to consider to avoid delays in the probate process.
For professional probate advice, contact Probate a Will on 0203 9859554.
