Registering a Death

Important Information

Registrars are now able to carry out death registrations remotely - there will be no face to face Appointments.

Our hours available to the public for remote death registrations are this week - Monday to Friday 9.00am until 3.30pm and Saturday and Sunday up to 1.30pm.

In order to register the death it is the responsibility of the GP, or Hospital Doctor (if death occurred in hospital) to email Form 11 Medical Certificate of Cause of Death to the Registrar in the local area as identified by the informant. It would greatly assist the process if contact details of the informant e.g. Family member or if not available Funeral Director could be included with the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death. If no contact  details are included it would then be the  responsibility of the informant to contact the Registration office to start the process of registration.

The original Medical Certificate of Cause of Death should thereafter be posted to the office of the Registrar by the GP or Hospital Doctor.

Once the email Medical Certificate of Cause of Death is received by the registration team the process of registration can begin.

It may take more than one phone call with the informant to finalise the registration process and deaths no longer need to be registered within an 8 day period. They will be dealt with as quickly as possible in the order received.

If the death is to be registered in Glasgow then the MCCD should be emailed to genreg@glasgow.gov.uk.

Address for posting Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) to Glasgow is Registration Office, Mail Room, City Chambers, George Square, Glasgow G2 1DU

Please do not send MCCDs to several offices, only choose the local office, normally where the person stayed or the nearest one to address if possible.

Family already in receipt of the MCCD prior to the new legislation can email the form direct to the registration office of their choice. Check neighbouring local authority websites as relevant for contact details.

What do I need to do?

When someone dies it can be a stressful and upsetting time.  In this section there is information and guidance aimed at helping you through the registration process.

All deaths in Scotland must be registered within 8 days.

If the event took place outwith Scotland it must be registered in the country the death occurred.

In Glasgow we operate an appointment system for all death registrations.

How do I make an appointment?

Please allow sufficient time to arrange an appointment.  You can make an appointment by using our online booking system. Appointments are available Monday - Friday with the exception of Public Holidays.

The office is located at:
Service Desk
45 John Street
Glasgow
G1 1JQ

Who can register a death?

The death can be registered by:

• Any relative of the deceased; or
• Any person present when the person died; or
• The deceased's executor or other legal representative; or
• The occupier of the property where the person died; or if there is no such person,
• Anyone else who knows the information to be registered.

You must be 16 years of age to act as a qualified informant.

For more information please visit NRS - Deaths

What documents should I take to the Registrar?

• The medical certificate of cause of death issued by the doctor who certified the death or the hospital (MCCD)
• If readily available please also bring with you:
  • The deceased's birth certificate.
  • The deceased's marriage or civil partnership certificate, if applicable.
  • The deceased's medical card.

What documents will I receive?

• An abbreviated death certificate, which is issued free of charge;
• A certificate of registration of death (form 14) for production to the person in charge of the burial ground or crematorium;
• A social security registration or notification of death certificate (form BD8) for use in obtaining or adjusting social security benefits.
• Tell us once letter if you wish to use this service.
• A full death certificate can be purchased for the statutory fee of £10.00 each.

How do I pay?

The preferred method of payment at the service desk is by debit/credit card. Registration staff will be unable to accept cash payments. However, you will be able to pay for transactions involving cash/cheque at a separate cash office within the service desk.

Notifying other council services

Once the death has been registered the registrar will notify the electoral registration service, council tax and other local council services that the deceased may have used.

Tell Us Once

Once you have registered the death with a registrar, you will be given the option to use Tell Us Once.

For more information  please visit [159kb]

What happens if I am late for my appointment?

You should aim to arrive at the Service Desk in time for your appointment.  If you are late we may not be able to accommodate you, your appointment will be rescheduled.

Can I cancel or reschedule my appointment?

When you schedule an appointment, you will receive a confirmation email.  This email also includes instructions on how to cancel or reschedule your appointment. 

We only have a limited number of appointments that we can offer each day.  If you arrange an appointment and are unable to attend, please ensure that you cancel or reschedule your appointment.