Death Certificates
If you have recently been bereaved, you will need to register the death.
The staff at the Registrar’s Office will help you with all aspects of the Death Registration to assist you during this difficult time.
Registering a death
Registering a stillbirth
By law, all deaths occurring in Northern Ireland must be recorded in this way.
Deaths should be registered as soon as possible to allow funeral arrangements to take place but no later than five days from when the death occurred, except where the matter has been referred to the Coroner.
Where can I register a death?
If the death has occurred in Northern Ireland then you must register the death in a District Registrars’ Office in Northern Ireland.
Our District Registrar’s Office is located at 14 Magazine Street, BT48 6HH. Office hours are 9: 30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m, Monday to Friday.
Information needed for registration
You will need to bring a Medical Certificate Cause of Death. This is normally issued to relatives by a doctor who had treated the deceased within 28 days of the date of death. It is not now necessary to bring the deceased’s Medical Card.
If the deceased was not been seen by a doctor within that period or, if the death was not caused by natural illness, the case may be referred to the Coroner.
You will also have to fill in a death registration form.
Who can register a death?
The following people can register a death:
- Any relative of the deceased who has knowledge of the details needed to register
- A person who was present at the death
- A person who is taking care of the funeral arrangements
- The executor or administrator of the deceased's estate
- The governor, matron or chief officer of a public building where the death took place
- A person living in and responsible for a house, lodgings or apartments where the death occurred
- A person who has found the body
- A person taking charge of the body.
What details are needed to register a death?
You will need the following details to register a death:
- Full name and surname of the deceased
- Date and place of death and the deceased's usual address
- Marital status
- Date and place of birth
- Occupation of the deceased
- If the deceased was a wife or widow, the full names and occupation of her husband (or deceased husband) are needed.
- If the deceased was a child, the full names and occupation of the father are needed or, if the parents are not married, the full names and occupations of the child's mother are needed.
- Maiden surname
- The name and practice address of the deceased's doctor.
What will I receive?
Once you have registered the death, you will be given the following documents:
- A GRO 21 form which allows a burial or cremation to take place
- Form 36 which can be given to Social Security offices regarding benefits.
Certified copies of the death certificate, which may be needed to deal with business matters and insurance claims, may be purchased from the Registrar at the time of registration.
There is a charge of £8 per copy for this service.
A stillbirth should be registered as soon as possible to allow funeral arrangements to go ahead.
It should not be registered later than five days from the date of death, except where the matter has been referred to the Coroner.
Who can register a stillbirth?
The following people can register a stillbirth:
- The mother or father of the baby, if you are a married couple
- Maternal grandfather of the baby
- Maternal grandmother of the baby
- Maternal uncle of the baby
- Maternal aunt of the baby
- Occupier of the premises where the stillbirth took place, for example, a governor or matron
- Any person present at the stillbirth.
What information will I need to bring with me?
You will need a Certificate of Stillbirth which shows the cause of the stillbirth. This is usually issued to the child's relatives by a medical doctor/midwife.
What details are needed to register a stillbirth?
You will need the following details to register a stillbirth:
- Full name and surname of the baby
- Date and place of stillbirth
- Usual address
- Full names and occupations of the baby's mother and father.
Where can I register a stillbirth?
You can register a stillbirth in the district where the stillbirth occurred or in the district where the child's mother usually lives within Northern Ireland.
Contact Us
Office Public Hours
Guildhall, BT48 6DQ
9.30am - 12.30pm
2.00pm - 4.30pm
If you have a question about the registration of births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships, call us on (028) 7126 8439 fax: (028) 7137 7964 email registrarsoffice@derrycity.gov.uk