Registration of Death
Registration takes place at a meeting between a relative/person making the funeral arrangements and the Registrar at a Register Office local to where the deceased passed away.
Any death that occurs in the community or in a care home will be overseen by the Medical Examiner and the doctors’ surgery caring for the patient prior to death. Once the death has been verified by a medical professional (on call doctor/ district nurse/ care manager or similar) the relevant doctor’s surgery and the ME (Medical Examiner) will be informed of the death.
The Medical Examiner will contact the relative/next of kin/person making the funeral arrangements to discuss what will be recorded on the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death and this will be emailed directly to the Registrar. Once you know the Certificate has been emailed, you should contact the Registrar's Office within 5 days to arrange a face-to-face meeting.
A death in a hospital is managed the same as in the community, but with the ME being situated at the hospital, he/she will work closely with the hospital bereavement team to look after and advise the family, including arranging a registration appointment.
Information Required by the Registrar:
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Full name of the person who has died including maiden name if applicable
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Date and Place of Birth
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Usual Address
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Date and place of Death
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Occupation
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Marital Status
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Name and Occupation of Marital/Civil partner
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Date of Birth of Marital/Civil partner
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Type of State Pension or Allowance
Documents to take with you:
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The Medical Cause of Death Certificate
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Medical Card (If Available)
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Birth Certificate (If Available)
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Marriage Certificate (If Available/Applicable)
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Reference Number of any Government Pension other than the normal state pension
How the Registration Service can help you
Following a death, several organisations may have to be contacted and be given the same information. The Registration Service can help you to give information to the Department for Work and Pensions and they can pass on the information to a number of other government departments and local council services for you.
If you decide to use the service provided by the Registrar they can inform the following organisations:
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Pension, Disability and Carer's Service
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JobCentre Plus
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Overseas Health Team
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War Pensions Scheme
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Child Benefit
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Child Tax Credit & Working Tax Credit
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Personal Taxation
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Identity and Passport Service
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Housing Benefit Office
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Council Tax Benefit Office
Also, if you wish, the Registrar can also inform:
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Local Councils
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Council Housing
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Council Tax
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Libraries
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Blue Badges
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Adult Services
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Children's Services
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Collection of payment for council services
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Electoral services
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Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency
To ensure the correct information is given to the organisations you wish to be contacted, the following information will be required:
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The deceased's Date of Birth and National Insurance Number
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Details of any benefits the deceased was in receipt of
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A Copy of the Death Certificate
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The deceased's Driving Licence or Licence Number
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The deceased's Passport or Passport number and town/country of birth
You may also need to provide:
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Details of the Next of Kin
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Details of a surviving husband, wife or civil partner
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Details of the person dealing with the estate
You must obtain permission from the persons above if you are going to provide the Registrar with their information
Dorset Registration Service - Contact Details:
Telephone - 01305 225153 or 01202 225153
Opening Hours:
Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm
Email - registrationinformation@dorsetcc.gov.uk
Local Website - www.dorsetforyou.com/tellusonce
Weymouth Office
?Weymouth Library
Great George Street
Weymouth
Dorset
DT4 8NN
Dorchester Office
Dorset History Centre
Bridport Rd
Dorchester
Dorset
DT1 1RP
Blandford Office
The Blandford Community Centre
Heddington Drive
Blandford Forum
Dorset
DT11 7TP
Other Local Offices at:
Bridport, Christchurch, Ferndown, Gillingham, Shaftesbury, Sherborne, Swanage, Wareham, Poole.
Opening times vary in these offices.
