Registering a birth

You will need to register a birth at a register office within six weeks.

More information about what details you need to register a birth and details of register offices in the area:

• GOV.UK - Register a birth
• Suffolk County Council, - How to register a birth

Registering a death

To register a death, you will need a medical certificate from a doctor. Once you have this you will need to register the death within five days, including weekends and bank holidays. It is best to do this with a register office in the area that the death took place. If you go to a register office outside the area it may take longer to get the necessary documents and slow down any funeral arrangements.

You will need the following details in order to register a death:

• medical certificate with the cause of death - signed by the doctor
• date and place of the death
• their full names and any previous names - including maiden names (with marriage certificate for evidence)
• their usual home address and postcode
• their date and place of birth - please bring a birth certificate, if available
• their occupation
• the full name, date of birth and occupation of their spouse (for a married or widowed woman) or civil partner
• National Health Service (NHS) number, medical card or Serco letter from the health authority

For more information visit: Suffolk County Council - How to register a death

To find a register office in the area, please visit: GOV.UK – Register offices

Tell Us Once

Tell us Once is a free service that lets you report a death to most government departments and local councils in one go. When you register the death the registrar will give you a unique number so you can use this service online or by phone, which is valid for 28 days.

If there is an inquest you can still get a unique number from the registrar. You will need to get an interim death certificate from the coroner holding the inquest first.