Register a death
There is currently a high demand for death registration appointments, with limited availability in some areas. All available appointments are visible on our website (the contact centre does not have access to any other extra appointments).
Don’t worry if you are unable to book within 5 days, just make an appointment as soon as possible. If you cannot find one in your immediate area, we suggest looking at other locations that may have more availability.
All deaths must be registered within 5 days, unless a coroner is investigating the circumstances of the death. Death registrations have returned to face-to-face appointments. Please only book an appointment if the doctor or hospital have made you aware that the paperwork has been sent to us.
To book an appointment to register a death, you must be either:
- a relative of the deceased
- a person who was present at the death
- an administrator from the hospital where the person died
- a person arranging the funeral with the funeral director.
For more advice and support for registering a death in Kent please read our bereavement guide.
Experiencing different emotions when grieving is normal and having someone to talk to about how you feel can be very helpful. The Children and Young People’s Counselling Service includes bereavement support for children and young people in Kent who experience complicated grief as a result of a Covid-19.
Is there a fee?
The registration service is free of charge.
There is a charge for buying copies of the death certificate. The registrar will discuss this with you.
What we need to know
When you're with the registrar, they will need to know some information about the person who has died and your relationship to them to be able to complete the death register.
Please read through our guidance (PDF, 64.4 KB) before they call.
What you will receive
After the registration entry is complete, the registrar will give you:
- a certificate for burial or cremation (form 9) a green form to give to the funeral director. If the death has been referred to the coroner and the funeral is a cremation, the equivalent form will be sent by the coroner to your funeral director
- a certificate of registration of death (BD8 form) a white form to be completed and sent by you, with any benefit or pension details to the Department of Work and Pensions.
You will need to produce a death certificate when you are arranging the finances of the person who has died.
You can buy copies of the death certificate for a small fee. These can be bought on the day of registration or after the registration process.
After someone dies you will need to notify many organisations and departments.
The Tell Us Once service can help you by telling most organisations on your behalf. Whilst your district council can provide you with support and advice for:
- funeral arrangements, including local funeral directors, cremations, burial costs, cemetery plot fees and memorials
- cemetery and burial ground records.