Birth and Death

Registering of Births and Deaths

You can book your appointment to register a birth or death online:

Information is provided by Staffordshire County Council.

In Times of Bereavement

you have experienced a bereavement and need to talk to someone, you are welcome to contact the surgery. We can also, if appropriate, guide you to bereavement services in the area to offer support. Please speak to our reception staff regarding this.

Useful contacts include

  • Dove service 01782 683155
  • Bereavement advice service 01785 273768
  • Age UK 01782 286209

When someone close to you dies, there are many things to sort out at what is often a difficult and distressing time.

There are three things which need to be done in the first few days:

  1. Obtaining a medical certificate of cause of death from an appropriate doctor in order to register the death and obtain a certificate. This would be the GP, if the death occurred at home, or from a hospital doctor if the death has occurred there. Please be aware that some deaths need to be reported to the coroner. There are a number of set reasons for reporting, including unexpected and unexplained deaths, and certain medical conditions and circumstances. In these cases, a death cannot be registered until clearance has been given by the coroner. This can cause delays.
  2. Registering the death within 5 days (or within 8 days in Scotland) You will then be given the necessary documents for funeral arrangements
  3. Making funeral arrangements

An appointment to register a death can be made by calling 0300 111 8001, or by going online, see Death Registration Appointment.

The following information will be asked for by the registrar:

  • The medical certificate of cause of death
  • Date and place of death and usual address
  • Full name, surname (and maiden name if applicable) of the deceased
  • Date and place of birth
  • Occupation (May include name and occupation of husband if the deceased was a married woman or widow)
  • Whether he/she was receiving a pension/ allowance from public funds
  • If the deceased was married or in a civil partnership, date of birth of surviving partner
  • The deceased’s medical card should be provided, if available

The registrar can offer a “tell us once” service, which can be used to inform government organisations on your behalf, such as Department
for Work & Pensions and HM Revenue and Customs. This is optional, and there will still be organisations you will need to inform individually.