We hope that this information will be of some help to you at this distressing and stressful time. If you are in doubt about anything, please do not worry, our staff will guide you through the registration procedure.

 Where can I register?
 Can I register elsewhere?
 Where is the Wandsworth Register Office?
 Must I register a death?
 Must I make an appointment?
 Who may register a death?
 What will I need to bring with me?
 What happens when I talk to the registrar?
 What will I need to know about the person who has died?
 What will I be given?
 Do I need certified copies of the death entry?
 What will it cost?
 Civil funerals
 Further information
 Emergency help
 Complaints
 Directory of faith communities in Wandsworth

Where can I register?
The death must be registered in the registration district in which it took place. If the death occurred in the Wandsworth district, then you should register the death at the Wandsworth Register Office.

It is now possible to register a death at St George's hospital, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, if the death occurred there.  In order to use this service please speak to the Bereavement Officer at St George's who will then arrange an appointment with the registar

Can I register elsewhere?
Yes, if coming to the Wandsworth Register Office is not convenient then you can go to any register office in England and Wales to provide the particulars required for registration. That register office will forward the details to us and we will register the death.
People normally try to register a death as soon as possible in order to complete the formalities and make the funeral arrangements. Providing your details to another register office can slow the whole proccess down significantly as we have to wait for all the particulars to reach us before we can complete the registration. We then have to post the registration documents to you.
To minimise delay in registering a death it is always advisable, where possible, to register the death in the registration district in which it occurred.

Where is the Wandsworth Register Office?
We are located in Wandsworth Town Hall, Wandsworth High Street, SW18. The Register Office is based on the ground floor and has direct easy access for the disabled and elderly visitors and also for parents with prams and pushchairs. There are toilet and baby changing facilities within the Register Office. Get a map

Must I register a death?
Yes, you are legally required to do so. The Register Office must be notified of a death within five days unless the Coronor is conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.

Must I make an appointment?
No, but you may do so if you prefer. We operate a drop-in service and an appointment service. Our drop-in service operates from 9am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday. We aim to see all callers within thirty minutes of arrival. You can make an appointment to be seen during these hours. However, if these hours are inconvenient, we can offer an appointment on Saturday morning or an early morning appointment from 8.30am during the week. If you would like an appointment, then you can make one by telephoning the Register Office (020 8871 6120/1 or for deaf people our Minicom line 020 8871 8642). You can also make an appointment online.

Who may register a death?
People qualified to register a death include:

• a relative present at the death;
• a relative present during the last illness;
• a relative residing in Wandsworth;
• a person present at the eath;
• the occupier of the premises if aware of the death happening; or
• the person arranging the funeral (but not the undertaker).

You may bring with you a relative or friend for support.

What will I need to bring with me?
You will need to bring a medical certificate of cause of death issued by the doctor, unless the death has been referred to the Coroner. In that case, the Coroner's Office will advise you what to do. If available, you should bring the deceased's medical card but don't worry if it cannot be found immediately. Arrangements can be made to send it on.

What happens when I talk to the registrar?
The Registrar will see you in private and ask questions about the person who has died. There is no need to worry. If you are upset, the Registrar will understand and help you throughout. The Registrar will write down the details in the death register (the information will also be entered into a death registration computer file).

You will then be asked to check the information entered in the register carefully and to sign that it is correct. It is important that you check the entry very carefully before you sign.

What will I need to know about the person who has died?
You will need to provide the following information:

• full name and surname;
• if applicable, any maiden surname;
• if the person who has died was a married woman or a widow, the full names and occupation of her husband;
• date and place of birth; and
• occupation and usual address.

The deceased's birth certificate will help you provide this information.

If available, information should be given to the Registrar concerning any pension or allowance received by the deceased from public funds.

What will I be given?
You will be given an authority which allows you to make arrangements for either burial or cremation. Separate procedures apply where the death has been referred to the Coroner. You will also be given a certificate for Social Security purposes.

Do I need certified copies of the death entry?
Certified copies of the death entry for use when dealing with the estate of the person who has died can be purchased from the Registrar. The purposes for which you may need certified copies include:

• Probate or Letters of Administration;
• bank and building society accounts;
• insurance companies who have issued policies covering the deceased;
• dealing with any stocks and shares owned by the deceased; and
• application for tax rebate, if appropriate.

This list is not exhaustive and there are many other purposes for which a certified copy of the death certificate may be required.

The certified copies can be provided in printed or handwritten form, if you prefer. The copies can be provided either at the time of the registration or at a later date.

What will it cost?
The registration of a death is free of charge. Also the document allowing you to arrange the burial or cremation and the certificate for Social Security purposes are free of charge. However, if you want certified copies of the register entry, a fee is payable. The fee is set by Parliament and is regularly reviewed. The Register Office will be able to advise you about the current scale of fees. Certificates are produced at a reduced fee at the time of registration.

Civil funerals
We do not offer this service at Wandsworth Register Office. 

For more information regarding register offices that can help contact the Institute of Civil Funerals www.iocf.org.uk

Further information
We will be pleased to offer further advice or information should you have any queries. Please do not hesitate to telephone the Register Office on 020 8871 6120/1, between the hours of 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday. Outside these hours, an answerphone service is in operation. For deaf people, we have a Minicom line 020 8871 8642. Outside office hours, messages can be left on this line.

If you would prefer to make a personal visit to the Register Office, then either come along between 9am and 4.30pm, Monday to Friday, or telephone for an appointment.

Emergency help
If you require emergency assistance outside our normal office hours (e.g. where a burial has to be completed within 24 hours because of religious beliefs), please telephone 020 8871 6900 and ask to be put in touch with the Superintendent Registrar.

Complaints
You will find information on how to make a complaint at About the Register Office.