How to register the death
Unless the coroner is involved, you must have the medical cause of death certificate from the doctor before you can register the death. You will need to book an appointment to register a death. You must do this within 5 days.
Obtaining the documents that are required
Some deaths may need to be referred to the Coroner. If it isn’t, the doctor who was attending the deceased will issue you with a medical certificate. This certificate must then be handed to the Registrar.
Normally a death is registered within 5 days. The certificates and documents will be issued to you at the time of registration. This takes place in the district where the death occurred.
However, you can visit any Register Office in England and Wales to give details for the registration by declaration and these will be posted to the appropriate office.
This will result in a short delay in you receiving the necessary documents for the funeral, DSS and attending to the deceased's estate.
Who can register the death?
One of the following has to make an appointment with the local registrar:
A relative of the deceased.
A person present at the death.
The occupier of the house where the death took place.
The person dealing with the funeral arrangements (not the Funeral Director).
We will be happy to assist you if or when you may require advice.
Information needed to register
You will be asked by the Registrar for the following information concerning the deceased:
Date and place of death.
Full names, including maiden name where appropriate.
Date and place of birth.
Occupation.
Usual address.
If they were a married/widowed woman, the full names and occupation of her husband/late husband will be required.
If they were married, the date of birth of the spouse.
If they were receiving any pensions or allowances from public funds.
It may be a good idea to look out some documentation if you are unsure of any of the above, such as a Birth or Marriage Certificate.
What to do with the certificates
The Registrar will issue you with two certificates which are free of charge. These certificates can only be used for specific purposes:
The green certificate should be handed to your funeral director.
If the Coroner has held a post-mortem examination, the green certificate will be replaced by a yellow one, but this is sent directly to your funeral director.
The white certificate is the Death Certificate. All you need to do is to complete the back of the form and send it to your local Department of Social Security (DSS) office.
Certified copies of the Death Certificate are available at the time of registration for a small fee. You may need these for insurance or probate purposes. The Registrar may be able to advise you how many you will need.
Where can I register the death?
Please note that all the offices run an appointment system. Please call the office before you visit. You should allow approximately 30 minutes for the registration. If the Registrar has to refer to the Coroner, a return visit may be necessary.
Worthing Registration Office
Portland House
Richmond Road
Worthing
BN11 1HS
Tel: 01243 642122
Bognor Regis Registration Office
Durban House
South Bersted Business Park
Durban Road
Bognor Regis
PO22 9RE
Tel: 01243 642122
Brighton & Hove Register Office
Town Hall
Bartholomew Square
Brighton
BN1 1JA
Tel: 01273 292016
Burgess Hill Registration Office
96 Church Walk
Burgess Hill
RH15 9AS
Tel: 01243 642122
Crawley Registration Office
West Sussex County Council
Southgate Avenue
Crawley
RH10 6HG
Tel: 01243 642122
Chichester Registration Office
3 Orchard Street
Chichester
PO19 1DD
Tel: 01243 642122
Eastbourne Registration Office
Town Hall
Grove Road
Eastbourne
BN21 4UG
Tel: 0345 60 80 198
East Grinstead Registration Office
County Library
West Street
East Grinstead
RH19 4EY
Tel: 01243 642122
Haywards Heath Registration Office
Haywards Heath Library
34 Boltro Road
Haywards Heath
RH16 1BN
Tel: 01243 642122
Horsham Registration Office
Park House
North Street
Horsham
RH12 9SB
Tel: 01243 642122
Lewes Registration Office
Southover Grange
Southover Road
Lewes
BN7 1TP
Tel: 01273 475589
Littlehampton Registration Office
Arun Civic Centre
Maltravers Road
Littlehampton
BN17 5LF
Tel: 01243 642122
Midhurst Registration Office
The Grange
Bepton Road
Midhurst
GU29 9HD
Tel: 01243 642122
Shoreham-by-Sea Registration Office
Health Centre
Pond Road
Shoreham-by-Sea
BN43 5US
Tel: 01243 642122
Storrington Registration Office
Storrington Library
Ryecroft Lane
Storrington
RH20 4PA
Tel: 01243 642122