How to Register a Death
All deaths occurring in Scotland must be registered by a Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages within 8 days of their occurrence.
The law now allows for a death which has taken place in Scotland to be registered in any district in Scotland.
It is principally the duty of a relative of the deceased to provide the particulars for registration, but if no such relative is available the duty may be performed by any person present at the death, or the deceased's executor or other legal representative.
Documents Required
You will be required to take along to the Registrar the following documents:
- The medical certificate of death - Form 11 - issued by the doctor or by the hospital in which the death occurred.
- The deceased's National Health Service medical card, if available.
- The deceased's birth certificate, also the marriage certificate, if applicable.
If these documents are not available please contact the Registrar who will advise.
Information Required
The Registrar will require the following information:
- The full name, occupation and address of the deceased, including his or her date and country of birth.
- If the deceased was married, widowed or divorced, the full name and occupation of the spouse.
- If the deceased had been married more than once, details of previous spouses is also required.
- If the deceased was married at the time of death, the date of birth of the surviving spouse is required.
- The full name and occupation of the deceased's father, and the full name, maiden name and occupation of the deceased's mother.
- The name and address of the deceased's own doctor.
Documents You Will Receive From The Registrar
Once the death has been registered the Registrar will issue you with the following documents:
- A Certificate of Registration of Death - Form 14, to be given to the Funeral Director.
- Form BD8. This form should be completed and sent to the Department for Work and Pensions, or alternatively you can use the national telephone number shown on the form.
- 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 pension, insurance or other purposes.
