Authorisation to register a death
ALL deaths will be reviewed by either the Medical Examiner or the Coroner.
Once this has happened, either the Medical Examiner or the Coroner will contact you to advise that you can call the Registration Service to make an appointment. If you are not contacted by either of the above, you will need to call the Medical Examiner for the area where the death occurred:
Exeter, East, Mid and North
Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust: EX2 5DW
Email: rduh.medicalexaminer@nhs.net Phone: 01392 408396Torbay and South Devon (includes Totnes)
Torbay And South Devon NHS Foundation Trust: TQ2 7AA
Email:tsdft.medicalexaminersoffice@nhs.net Phone: 01803 654489West Devon (includes South Brent)
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust: PL6 8DH
Email: plh-tr.medicalexaminerservice@nhs.net Phone: 01752 439492Registering a death
Registration must take place within 5 days of receiving authorisation from the Medical Examiner or the Coroner. The death of a loved one can be registered by one of the following:
- A relative of the deceased who was in attendance during the last illness
- A relative of the deceased who was present at the time of death
- A person who was present at the time of death
- The person who is taking responsibility for the funeral arrangements
- Partner of the deceased (if living as partners in an enduring relationship at the time of the death
- Personal representative of the deceased, appointed by and acting on behalf of the family e.g. solicitor, family friend
You will need to register the death at the Registrars located in the area where the death occurred. All registrations must take place in person.
The local Register Offices addresses and opening times are listed below:
TOTNES
Follaton House, Plymouth Road, Totnes, TQ9 5NE Tel: 0345 1551002
0900 – 1700 – Monday, Wednesday, Friday
TORBAY
Paignton Library & Information Centre, Great Western Road, Paignton, TQ4 5AG Tel: 01803 207130
0930 – 1530 - Monday - Friday
NEWTON ABBOT
Devon House, Brunel Road, Newton Abbot, TQ12 4PB Tel: 0345 1551002
0900 – 1630 - Monday – Thursday (Closed between 1300 - 1400)
0900 – 1600 – Friday (Closed between 1300 - 1400)
PLYMOUTH
I Derriford Business Park, Plymouth, PL6 5QZ Tel: 01752 268331
0900 – 1700 – Monday to Thursday
0900 – 1630 - Friday
- Driving licence - belonging to the deceased, if relevant
- Passport - belonging to the deceased, if relevant
- Blue Badge - belonging to the deceased, if relevant
- National Insurance number - of the deceased
N.B. The medical certificate will be sent electronically to the registrars by the Medical Examimer or the Coroner.
The Registrar will issue the official death certificate which will be used to notify the relevant authorities e.g. banks & building societies. You will be asked how many copies you would like - this will depend on how many organisations you need to notify.
A charge of £11.00 per certificate is payable at the time of registration.
- Date and place of death
- Full name (include Maiden name if applicable)
- Full address
- Date and place of birth
- Former occupation
- Name and occupation of his/her spouse
- Whether the deceased was receiving a pension or allowance from public funds
- If married, the date of birth of the surviving widow/widower
- NHS number (if available)
The green form which allows the burial or cremation to proceed will be sent electronically to the Funeral Service by the Registrar
Our Funeral Services
- Traditional Burials or Cremation
- Natural 'Greener' Funerals
- Assist with Choosing a Coffin or Casket
- Dedicated Chapel of Rest
- Provide Hearse and Funeral Cars
- Organise Floral tributes and Donations
- Order of Service and Music
- Newspaper Announcements
- Memorials and Cremation Caskets