Registering a Death

Once the Doctor or Hospital has issued the Medical Certificate, the Informant must register the death within 5 days at the Registry Office for the sub-district in which the death occurred. If this is not possible the Registrar must be informed in writing. The Medical Certificate of the cause of death and the deceased’s Medical Card (if available) must be given to the Registrar.

The person registering the death will be asked for the following information about the deceased:

• The date and place of death
• The full name and usual address (and maiden name if applicable)
• The date and place of birth
• The occupation (and name and occupation of her husband if applicable)
• Details of any pension or allowance from public funds
• The date and place of birth of any surviving spouse
• The full name and usual address of the Informant
• The qualification of the Informant

A Death Certificate can then be obtained on payment of the prescribed fee. This will be needed for obtaining Probate or Letters of Administration, closing bank accounts and making claims on insurance policies.

The Registrar will also issue a green Registrar’s Certificate for Burial or Cremation which will be needed by the Funeral Director, and a white Certificate of Registration of Death – Form 344/BD8 – which is for Social Security purposes to cancel the payment of pensions and allowances from public funds.

Without a Cause of Death, the Registrar cannot allow the death to be registered.