Registration of a Death

Who may give particulars to a registrar

All deaths occuring in Scotland must be registered by a Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages within 8 days of their occurrence. The duty to provide the particulars for registration rest principally with a relative of the deceased, but if no such relative is available the duty may be performed by any person present at the death, or the deceased's executor or other legal representative, or the occupier of the premises where the death took place.

Place of registration

A death occurring in Scotland may be registered in any Scottish registration office.

All Registration Offices within South Ayrshire now operate an appointment system for all registration matters, please telephone your most convenient Registration Office to arrange an appointment.

Particulars required

The particulars required for registration purposes include the following:

1. The full name, occupation, and postal address of the deceased person, and his or her date and country of birth;
2. If the deceased was a married man or widower or divorced, the full name of his wife or former wife. If the deceased was a married woman or a widow or divorced, the full name and occupation of her husband or former husband. If the deceased has been married more than once, particulars of previous spouses are also required;
3. If the deceased was married at the date of death, the date of birth of the surviving widow or widower;
4. The full name and occupation of the deceased person's father, and the full name and maiden surname of the deceased's mother;
5. The name and address of the deceased's own doctor.

Documents required

In addition, the following documents should be taken to the Registrar's office:

• The medical certificate of cause of death (normally given by the deceased person's doctor, or by the hospital in which the death occured);
• The deceased's National Health Service medical card, if available;
• The deceased's birth certificate, if available;
• The deceased's marriage certificate(s) (if relevant).

Fees

There is no fee to register a death and you will be issued with an abbreviated death certificate, Form 14 for the undertaker and Form 334SI for the Benefits Agency free of charge.

Any other death certificate's purchased at the time or within the current year of registration cost £8.50 each. Please make cheques payable to 'South Ayrshire Council'.