Registration of deaths and stillbirths
If the death has taken place in Spelthorne, it needs to be registered at the Weybridge Register Office and you will need to make an appointment. You may register a death at any registry office in England or Wales, however, if it is in a district other than where the death took place, it can slow down the registration process significantly. All deaths must be registered within five days of the death taking place unless a coroner is conducting an investigation.
Who can register a death?
If the person died in a house or hospital:
- a relative
- someone present at the death
- an occupant of the house where the death took place
- an official from the hospital where the death took place
- the person making the arrangements with the funeral directors
If the death took place anywhere else:
- a relative
- someone present at the death
- the person who found the body
- the person in charge of the body
- the person making the arrangements with the funeral directors
What to bring with you to the appointment
You will need to bring the following to your appointment:
- a medical certificate issued by a doctor showing the cause of death (if the death has been referred to a coroner, the coroner's office will advise you what to do)
- information about when and where the death occurred
- the full name of the deceased, including maiden name/s if applicable
- the deceased's date and place of birth
- the deceased's occupation
- the deceased's address
- if the deceased was a married woman, the full name and occupation of the deceased's husband.
Charges
Registering a death is free of charge. You will be given a document which allows you to arrange the burial or cremation and a certificate for social security purposes.
If you need copies of the death registration, for example, for probate or access to bank accounts, a fee of £3.50 per copy is payable to the registrar.
Making an appointment
The contact details for Weybrdige Registry Office are:
