Registering A Death

A death must be registered by law within 5 days, in the area in which the death occurred.

NOTE:  If a death has been reported to the Coroner, registration cannot take place until permission has been given by the Coroner and there will be changes in documentation.

Registration is by Appointment only

Local deaths: (Pontefract/Wakefield Areas)                   0345 485 2888

(Local deaths can be registered at either

Pontefract or Wakefield Registrars)

Dewsbury Area:                                                                    01924 324733

Leeds Area:                                                                            01132 2224408

(includes Rothwell/Garforth Registraton Offices)

Selby                                                                                       01609 780780

(Covers Sherburn, Kellington, Byram, Tadcaster and Burton Salmon)

Details required by the Registrar

Doctor’s Death Certificate

Birth Certificate/Medical card (if available)

Full name, address and last occupation

Maiden name (deceased married women)

Burial or cremation

Documents supplied by the Registrar

Green Certificate for Funeral Director

Death Certificates – purchased at £12.50p per copy

(for Banks, Building Societies, Post Office Accounts, Private Pensions or Insurance)

The Registrar will provide you with the DWP “Telephony” and “On Line” service, which will enable you to cancel certain departments e.g. – State Pension (you will require N.I. number of the deceased), current Driving Licence, current Passport and Disabled Parking Badge.

**Please note that due to Covid19, there are only telephone registration appointments available.

Coroner’s Procedure

There are certain circumstances when a death has to be reported to the Coroner:-

• If a death is sudden or unexpected
• If the GP has not been in attendance during the last 14 days’
• If admitted to hospital and death occurs within 24 hours of admission
• If a fracture has occurred during the last 12 months
• If in receipt of a pension for either an accident that occurred at work, or injury in the Armed Forces
• If there is any likelihood of industrial disease

** In these cases, a Death Certificate will not be issued without the Coroner’s permission.