How to Register a Death in Scotland

Scotland's Registration Timeline

In Scotland, you have 8 days to register a death (compared to 5 days in England and Wales). This period includes weekends and public holidays.

⚠️ Key Difference: Scotland uses the National Records of Scotland (NRS) system, which differs from England and Wales in several important ways.

October 2025 Update:

Most Scottish registration offices now offer online appointment booking through the NRS website. Some remote areas may still require phone bookings.

Who Can Register a Death in Scotland?

The following people can register a death, in order of preference:

Any relative of the deceased
Any person present at the death
The executor or other legal representative
The occupier of the premises where the death occurred
Any person having knowledge of the particulars to be registered

💡 Tip: Scotland allows a wider range of people to register compared to England and Wales, which can be helpful in complex family situations.

Documents You'll Need

Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) from the doctor
The deceased's birth certificate (if available)
Marriage or civil partnership certificate (if applicable)
Decree of divorce (if applicable and widowed status is relevant)
NHS medical card or CHI number
Proof of the deceased's address
Your own identification (passport or driving licence)

Booking Your Registration Appointment

Find Your Local Office

Use the National Records of Scotland website to find your nearest registration office. You can register at any office in Scotland, not just the one where the death occurred.

Online Booking

Most offices now offer online appointment booking. You'll receive a confirmation email with the date, time, and what to bring.

Phone Booking

If online booking isn't available for your area, call the registration office directly. They may ask for preliminary information over the phone.

At the Registration Appointment

The registrar will ask you to provide:

The deceased's full name (including maiden name if applicable)
Date and place of birth
Date, time, and place of death
Usual residence and length of time at that address
Marital status and spouse's details (if applicable)
Occupation (current or former)
Father's name and occupation
Mother's name and maiden surname
Whether the deceased had been married before

📝 Scotland requires more detailed family information than England and Wales, including both parents' details.

What You'll Receive

Death Certificate (Extract)

In Scotland, you receive a certified "extract" rather than a certificate. This is the official document you need for legal purposes.

Cost: First extract is free. Additional extracts cost £12 each at registration, or £15 if ordered later.

Certificate of Registration (Form 14)

This allows burial or cremation to proceed. Give this to your funeral director.

Tell Us Once Scotland

You'll receive information about using Tell Us Once to notify government departments, though the service works slightly differently in Scotland.

Key Differences from England and Wales

Timeline: 8 days in Scotland vs 5 days in England/Wales

Document name: "Extract" in Scotland vs "Certificate" in England/Wales

Information required: More detailed family history needed in Scotland

First copy: Free in Scotland vs £12.50 in England/Wales

Registration location: Can register at any office in Scotland (not limited to where death occurred)

Registration Fees (October 2025)

• Death registration: Free
• First death extract: Free
• Additional extracts at registration: £12 each
• Extracts ordered later: £15 each
• Priority service (if available): £25 per extract

Special Circumstances

Procurator Fiscal Investigation

If the death has been reported to the Procurator Fiscal (Scotland's equivalent of a coroner), you cannot register until their investigation is complete.

Deaths on Islands

Remote island communities may have different arrangements. Contact the local registration office for specific guidance.

Religious Requirements

Some faiths require burial within 24 hours. Contact the registration office immediately to arrange an emergency appointment if needed.

Useful Contacts

• National Records of Scotland: 0131 314 4433
• Find a registrar: nrscotland.gov.uk/registration/registrars
• Emergency out-of-hours: Contact local council