Click4Assistance UK Live Chat Software
Skip to main content

Register a death

There is no charge to register a death.

Death registrations are carried out at a face to face appointment. For your safety we have introduced measures such as screens, hand sanitiser and we will be using rooms which allow social distancing. Please note that the size of our offices means that we can accommodate a maximum of two people for each appointment.

You will need to make an appointment to register a death in Cheshire West and Chester. You should normally register a death within five days. If the coroner is involved it may take longer. Your doctor will email the medical certificate of cause of death directly to the registrars.

Book an appointment

You can also make your appointment to register a death by ringing 0300 123 7037.

The appointment will take around half an hour.

To help ensure the accuracy of the information recorded, it is useful to have the correct details ready before your appointment:

  • date of death
  • place of death - the name of the hospital, nursing home or full address
  • full name - the name they were know at the time of death, if they were known by any other name
  • gender
  • maiden name of women who have married
  • date of birth
  • place of birth
  • occupation
  • if the decease is married, in a legal civil partnership or widowed
  • their usual address
  • if the decease is married, in a legal civil partnership or widowed the name and surname and occupation of their spouse/partner
  • date of birth of surviving spouse/partner

To help ensure the accuracy of the information recorded in the register and reduce future corrections, it is useful to bring the following identity documents for the deceased person if you have them.

  • birth certificate or passport
  • driving licence
  • marriage or civil partnership certificate

If you do not have these documents the registrar can still proceed with the registration.

Death certificates

Once the registration is complete the registrar will provide you with:

  • A certificate for burial or cremation when appropriate
  • A ‘Tell us once’ reference number

You may purchase death certificates (certified copy of death entry) at the appointment, the cost is £11 per certificate.

Certificates can also be ordered online after the appointment, the cost is £11 each.

Order a certificate

We will accept email orders for copy certificates, but these will be dealt with as lower priority and would encourage all customers to order online if they can, email: chesterregisteroffice@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk.

Who should register a death

Most deaths are registered by a relative. In some cases other people may be able to register.

This includes:

  • a person present at the death
  • a person making arrangements with the funeral directors
  • an administrator from the hospital or elderly person’s home.

Registering by declaration

A death is normally registered in the area where it occurred. If this is not convenient it may be possible to attend a register office elsewhere in England and Wales. However this may lead to a delay in receiving any documents for the funeral.

Further information

Further information is available on the Gov.UK website.