Death Registration

When and Where Should a Death be Registered?

A death must be registered within 8 days. The law allows a death to be registered in any registration district in Scotland. A list of Highland registration offices can be found under ''Contacts' in the 'Related Information' section opposite.

Who Should Register a Death?

A death can be registered by:-

• any relative of the deceased;
• any person present at the death;
•  the deceased's executor or other legal representative;
• the occupier, at the time of death, of the premises where the death took place; and
• if there is no person as above, anyone having a knowledge of the particulars to be registered.

Documents to be Produced when Registering a Death

• The medical certificate of cause of death (Form 11) completed and issued by the doctor,
• the deceased's birth certificate, also the marriage certificate (if applicable),
• the deceased's medical card (if available).

If these documents are unavailable, please contact the Registrar who will advise.

Documents Issued by the Registrar at the time of Death Registration

• Certificate of Registration of Death (Form 14). This should be taken to the Funeral Director;
• Green Form (Form 334S1).  This should be completed and sent to the Department for Work and Pensions (formerly the Benefts Agency);
• An abbreviated extract(i.e. excluding cause of death and parentage details) of the death entry, free of charge;
• Additional abbreviated and/or full extracts can be purchased on payment of the statutory fee. They may be required for business and financial purposes. 

What if the death occurs abroad?

You should register the death according to local regulations in the country concerned and obtain a certificate of death. You may also be able to register the death with the British Consul in that country for a fee. However, there is no obligation to do so. A record of the death will be sent to Scotland and you will thereafter be able to get a copy from New Register House.