This section will guide you as easily as possible through the process of registering a death, where you need to go, and what information you need to supply.

By law a death has to be registered in the Registration District where it occurred, but to do so you may visit any registration office in North Yorkshire. You can also visit any Register Office in England and Wales to give details of the registration and these will be passed to the appropriate office. This may result in a short delay in you receiving the death certificate. By law, the registration must be completed within five days. The registration itself takes about 30 minutes.

Registering a death is free, but if you require copies of the death certificate, these are only supplied on payment of a small fee. You may also find that extra copies are required by banks, building societies etc. Please ask during the registration so that your certificates can be given to you there and then. You will also be given the documentation that is required by the funeral director, social security and if appropriate, the Paymaster General.

Many offices are only open part time and are by appointment only. You should telephone in advance and make an appointment. This will reduce the waiting time and make sure you are visiting the right office. 

Registering a death For more information about registering a death please complete this form For more information about death historical searches, please complete this form

Useful downloads How to register a death [48kb] More information on how to register a death, including a section in which you can record the relevant details before seeing the registrar.   Weblinks Please note: All external websites open in a new browser window. North Yorkshire County Council is not responsible for the content of external websites. British Humanist Association The British Humanist Association (BHA) is the national charity supporting and representing non-religious people. They also provide humanist funerals and memorials. Death and bereavement information from Directgov Information from Directgov on death, bereavement, wills, probate, benefits, property, money, registering a death and arranging a funeral. The Natural Death Centre The Natural Death Centre is a charity to help people arrange an inexpensive, family organised and environmentally friendly funeral. They also run the Association of Natural Burial Grounds. The National Association of Funeral Directors The National Association of Funeral Directors is a truly independent trade association with the broadest membership within the funeral profession, including more than 3,200 funeral homes nationwide and suppliers to the profession. The National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors The National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF) is a trade association whose members are all independent funeral directors. The funeral service they offer is not part of a national chain, but is privately owned and managed. The Probate Service The Probate Service forms part of the Family Division of the High Court. It deals with 'non-contentious' probate business (where there is no dispute about the validity of a will or entitlement to take a grant), and issues grants of representation. Lasting Post The vision at Lasting Post is to create a user friendly but comprehensive system that allows a person privately to set down their instructions and wishes in the event of their death. This forward planning gives a person and their family peace of mind. Death - registering - frequently asked questions When does the death need to be registered? Who may register a death? Is there anything I need to bring with me when registering a death? What do I do if the blue badge holder has died? Must I have a religious funeral? What are my rights and options when arranging a funeral? What are the costs involved when arranging a Funeral? Where can I find sources of support and comfort? Contacts Harrogate register office registrars.harrogate@northyork... Tel: 0845 034 9480 (for appointments), 0845 034 9482 (for copy certificates) Fax: 01423 502105 Full details for Harrogate register office Leyburn registration office registrars.northallerton@north... Tel: 0845 034 9550 Ext: 2601/2602 Fax: 01609 532096 Full details for Leyburn registration office Malton registration office registrars.malton@northyorks.g... Tel: 0845 034 9483 Fax: 01653 696135 Full details for Malton registration office Northallerton registration office registrars.northallerton@north... Tel: 01609 532601 or 2602 Fax: 01609 532096 Full details for Northallerton registration office Pickering registration office registrars.malton@northyorks.g... Tel: 0845 034 9483 Fax: 01653 696135 Full details for Pickering registration office Richmond registration office registrars.richmond@northyorks... Tel: 0845 034 9485 Fax: 01748 824522 Full details for Richmond registration office Scarborough registration office registrars.scarborough@northyo... Tel: 0845 034 9486 Fax: 01723 350436 Full details for Scarborough registration office Selby registration office registrars.selby@northyorks.go... Tel: 0845 034 9487 Fax: 01757 705133 Full details for Selby registration office Settle registration office registrars.settle@northyorks.g... Tel: 0845 034 9473 Fax: 01729 823624 Full details for Settle registration office Skipton registration office registrars.skipton@northyorks.... Tel: 0845 034 9488 Fax: 01756 709034 Full details for Skipton registration office Whitby registration office registrars.whitby@northyorks.g... Tel: 0845 034 9489 Fax: 01947 602731 Full details for Whitby registration office