Registering a death

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In Scotland, each death should be registered within eight days of its occurrence. You can register a death at any registration office in Scotland. The registration service in Renfrewshire operates three registration offices: Paisley, Johnstone and Renfrew. The registration offices operate an appointment system - please telephone to arrange an appointment.

• How long do I have to register a death?
• Who can register a death?
• What details should I give to the register the death and what documents does the registrar need?
• Where can you register a death?
• What documents will I receive?
• Who does the registrar notify after registration?

How long do I have to register a death?

A death must be registered within 8 days of its occurrence.

Who can register a death?

Normally, it is the duty of a relative to register a death but if no relative is available, the death may be registered by either:

• any person present at the death
• the executor or legal representative of the person who died
• the person living in the premises where the death took place, or
• any other person who knows about the death.

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What details should I give to register the death and what documents does the registrar need?

You need:

• the full name, occupation, address, date and country of birth of the person who has died
• the full name, surname, previous married surnames or surnames taken in civil partnership and occupation of any spouse(s)/civil partner(s).
• the date of birth of any husband, wife or civil partner who is still alive
• the full name and occupation of the parents of the person who has died including the mother's maiden surname, and
• the name and address of the GP of the person who has died.
• a medical certificate (Form 11) from the doctor
• an NHS medical card (if available)
• a birth certificate of the person who has died, and
• a marriage or civil partnership certificate, if this applies.

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Where can you register a death?

A death that occurred in Scotland can be registered at any registration office in Scotland. This document has a full list of registration offices in Scotland:

Registration offices in Scotland (pdf - 929Kb)

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In Renfrewshire, death registrations are conducted at our registration offices in Paisley, Johnstone and Renfrew. To ensure a member of staff is available to deal with you, we strongly recommend that you make an appointment. Opening hours and telephone numbers for each office can be found by clicking on the relevant links

• Customer Service Centre, Registration Office, Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street, Paisley PA1 1AN. Telephone: 0141 840 3388
• Johnstone Registration Office, 16-18 McDowall Street, Johnstone PA5 8QY. Telephone: 0141 840 3388
• Renfrew Registration Office, Renfield Neighbourhood Office, 14 Renfield Street, Renfrew. Telephone: 0141 886 3589

What documents will I receive?

You will receive:

• a certificate of registration of death (Form 14) issued free of charge for the Funeral Director
• a certificate for the Department of Work and Pensions (Form 334 S1) issued free of charge
• an abbreviated death certificate issued free of charge, and
• a full death certificate if required (a fee of £10.00 is payable for each certificate).

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Who does the registrar notify after registration?

After the registration of a death, the registrar notifies( for people aged 18 years of age or over) the relevant local council tax authority/electoral registration authority in the area that the deceased resided.

In Renfrewshire, if the deceased was a sole council tenant, termination of tenancy can be arranged through the Customer Service Centre or Housing and Property Services.


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