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Register a death

How to register a death in Suffolk, required documents and booking an appointment online

Before you start

  • Deaths have to be registered in person at a Register Office.
  • Any relative of the deceased can register a death, it does not need to be the next of kin. If you are unsure whether your relationship to the deceased allows you to register the death, please contact the office you wish to attend for advice.
  • You do not need to wait for the registration to be completed before contacting your chosen funeral director.
  • There is a legal requirement that deaths that do not involve the coroner are registered within 5 days.
  • There is no charge to register a death, but a statutory fee applies for death certificates and any future correction needed to the entry.
  • We can only register deaths that have occurred in the County of Suffolk.

Stage 1

To register a death we need:

  • a completed Medical Certificate Confirming cause of Death (MCCD). This is issued by either a GP or a hospital doctor/consultant. It will usually be sent to us electronically. 

or:

  • Form 100A or 100B if the death has been referred to the Coroner. Coroner documentation is sent to us electronically.

Some situations require a Coroner confirmation form and a MCCD.

Relatives should be informed by the certifying doctor and/or the Coroner when the necessary documentation has been issued. They should also give you a unique reference number which you should keep safely as it may be needed to make the appointment.

Stage 2

If you have confirmation that the documents required in Stage 1 have been sent to the Registrars you can arrange an appointment. You can book an appointment online or by calling a Register Office.

If you do not have confirmation that the documents have been sent, please notify us about the death by completing the form below.  We will make enquiries on your behalf and contact you when we have the necessary information.

Stage 3 – Preparing for your appointment

When you attend the registration appointment you will be asked for the following information about the deceased:

  • Their full name and any other names they were known by or used
  • Their date and place of birth and death
  • Their usual address
  • Their last occupation
  • Whether they were in receipt of any public sector pension, e.g. civil service, teacher, armed forces.

And if applicable:

  • Their maiden name
  • The name, date of birth and occupation of their spouse, or legal civil partner.

It would be helpful to bring their:

  • Passport
  • Birth certificate
  • Marriage / Civil Partnership certificate.

Please do not worry if you do not have any of these documents- you can still attend the appointment.

Stage 4 – The appointment

Registration appointments are held in private rooms so information can be given in confidence. Please allow 40 minutes for the appointment. There is space for up to 3 people to attend the appointment.

When the registration entry has been prepared, the registrar will ask you to check the content carefully before signing. This stage is very important because any error discovered afterwards will be subject to a statutory correction fee of £75/£90 and could possibly mean a delay to the funeral.

You will be given:

  • a TUO unique reference number to use the Tell Us Once service
  • any death certificates required. Death certificates are £11 each.
  • An authorisation form to the crematorium or burial authority to enable them to proceed with the burial or cremation. This document is often referred to as the ‘green form'.

If you need further death certificates in the future, you can apply for a copy of a death certificate here.