Registering During Bank Holidays
Bank Holidays and Death Registration
When a death occurs during or close to bank holidays, the standard 5-day registration deadline can create confusion and stress. Understanding how bank holidays affect registration timelines is crucial for planning.
October 2025 Update:
Following feedback during the 2024 Christmas period, many registration districts now provide clearer online information about bank holiday closures and emergency procedures. Some areas have introduced limited emergency registration services.
Key Rule: Bank holidays do NOT count toward the 5-day registration deadline, but registrar offices are typically closed on these days.
How the 5-Day Deadline Works with Bank Holidays
The 5-day deadline calculation excludes bank holidays:
Example 1: Death on Thursday Before Easter
Death occurs: Thursday
- Day 1: Friday
- Day 2: Saturday
- Good Friday: Doesn't count (bank holiday)
- Easter Sunday: Doesn't count (Sunday)
- Easter Monday: Doesn't count (bank holiday)
- Day 3: Tuesday
- Day 4: Wednesday
- Day 5: Thursday
Registration deadline: Thursday (8 days after death)
Example 2: Death on December 23rd
Death occurs: December 23rd
- Day 1: December 24th
- December 25th: Doesn't count (Christmas Day bank holiday)
- December 26th: Doesn't count (Boxing Day bank holiday)
- Day 2: December 27th (or next working day if this is weekend)
- Days 3-5: Following working days
Important: While the deadline extends, registrar offices remain closed on bank holidays, so you cannot actually register on those days even if they fall within your extended deadline.
UK Bank Holidays 2025-2026
Plan ahead by knowing when registrar offices will be closed:
England and Wales 2025
- New Year's Day: January 1st
- Good Friday: April 18th
- Easter Monday: April 21st
- Early May Bank Holiday: May 5th
- Spring Bank Holiday: May 26th
- Summer Bank Holiday: August 25th
- Christmas Day: December 25th
- Boxing Day: December 26th
Scotland 2025 (Additional)
- January 2nd: Bank Holiday
- St. Andrew's Day: November 30th (or December 1st if Sunday)
- Local holidays vary by council area
Northern Ireland 2025 (Additional)
- St. Patrick's Day: March 17th
- Battle of the Boyne: July 14th (or nearest Monday)
Registrar Office Opening Hours During Holiday Periods
Typical Closure Patterns
- Christmas/New Year: Most offices close December 25-26 and January 1st. Some also close December 24th and 27th, and January 2nd.
- Easter: Closed Good Friday and Easter Monday. Easter Sunday already closed as a Sunday.
- Long Weekends: Closed on the bank holiday Monday, but some also have reduced hours the Friday before.
Regional Variations
Office hours vary significantly between registration districts:
- Large urban areas may have extended hours or emergency cover
- Rural areas might close for the entire week between Christmas and New Year
- Scotland has additional local holidays that vary by council
- Some offices close one weekday per week even during normal periods
Emergency Registration During Bank Holidays
What if you need to register urgently during a bank holiday period?
Religious or Cultural Requirements
If your religion requires burial within 24-48 hours (e.g., Muslim or Jewish faiths), contact the registrar's emergency line immediately. Most districts have provisions for emergency registration.
Emergency Contact Numbers
Many registration services have emergency contact numbers for bank holidays. These are usually provided through:
- The local council's out-of-hours number
- The registrar's answerphone message
- The bereavement services team at the hospital or care facility
What Constitutes an Emergency
Registrars typically consider these situations emergencies:
- Religious requirement for burial within 24-48 hours
- Body needs repatriation abroad urgently
- Specific medical or public health concerns
- Exceptional compassionate circumstances
Planning Ahead for Holiday Period Deaths
If a death occurs or is expected during a bank holiday period:
- Check Office Hours in Advance: Look up your local registrar's bank holiday schedule before the period begins.
- Note Emergency Contact Details: Save emergency registration contact numbers in advance if someone is terminally ill.
- Discuss with Funeral Director: They have experience managing bank holiday registrations and can advise on timing.
- Contact Hospital/Care Home Early: Ensure they'll release the Medical Certificate promptly despite the holiday.
- Identify the Registrant: Confirm who will register and ensure they're available despite holiday plans.
- Consider Neighboring Districts: Nearby registration districts might have different holiday schedules.
The Christmas Period Challenge
The Christmas and New Year period presents unique challenges:
Extended Closures
Many registrar offices close from December 24th through January 2nd (or later in Scotland). This means if death occurs December 23rd, the first registration opportunity might be January 3rd.
Medical Examiner Delays
Medical Examiner offices also operate reduced hours during Christmas. The ME review might take longer than the usual 1-2 days, extending the overall process.
Doctor Availability
GPs and hospital doctors work reduced schedules over Christmas, which can delay the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) being issued.
Working with Funeral Directors During Bank Holidays
Funeral directors can help navigate bank holiday registration:
They Know Local Procedures
Funeral directors work through bank holidays regularly and know which registrars offer emergency services and what constitutes acceptable reasons.
They Can Store the Deceased
If registration must wait until after the bank holiday, funeral directors have facilities to care for the deceased in the meantime.
They Can Make Emergency Contact
Funeral directors often have direct emergency contact details for registrars and can advocate on your behalf if urgent registration is needed.
Document Collection During Bank Holidays
Getting necessary documents during bank holidays can be challenging:
Medical Certificate (MCCD)
Hospitals usually have bereavement teams working through bank holidays who can release the MCCD. However, if the certifying doctor is off duty, there may be delays.
Supporting Documents
Gather these before the bank holiday if possible:
- Deceased's birth certificate
- Marriage/civil partnership certificate
- NHS medical card
- Your own identification
Specific Bank Holiday Scenarios
Easter Period
With Good Friday and Easter Monday both being bank holidays, plus the weekend, this creates a 4-day closure. Plan for registration either before Good Friday or the Tuesday after.
May Bank Holidays
Early May and late May bank holidays create two long weekends. These are generally easier to navigate than Christmas or Easter as only one additional day is affected.
Summer Bank Holiday
The late August bank holiday coincides with many people being on summer vacation. Registrar offices may be short-staffed, so book appointments well in advance.
Coronation or State Funeral Bank Holidays
Occasionally, additional bank holidays are declared for special events. These are announced in advance, allowing time to plan.
Tell Us Once and Bank Holidays
The Tell Us Once service (which notifies government departments of a death) is also affected by bank holidays:
- The service is available 8am-8pm on working days only
- You cannot use Tell Us Once on bank holidays
- If your registration happens to occur on a working day during a holiday period, you can use it immediately after registering
- Notifications to government departments may be delayed if sent during holiday periods
Common Questions About Bank Holiday Registration
Can I register online during a bank holiday?
No. Death registration must be done in person (or very rarely by video appointment). Online systems are not available during bank holidays.
Will registration cost more during bank holidays?
No. Registration is free and death certificates cost the same regardless of when you register.
What if I'm traveling during the bank holiday?
You can register at any registrar office in England and Wales, so consider registering in the area where you're staying if it's more convenient.
Can funeral arrangements proceed before registration?
Yes, you can plan the funeral, but you need the burial/cremation certificate (issued at registration) before the funeral can actually take place.
Quick Action Checklist for Bank Holiday Deaths
- Check your local registrar's bank holiday schedule immediately
- Calculate your actual registration deadline (excluding bank holidays)
- Contact your funeral director to discuss timing
- Ensure the Medical Certificate will be released despite the holiday
- Gather all required documents while you're waiting
- Note emergency contact numbers in case urgent registration is needed
- Book the earliest available post-holiday appointment
- Consider whether religious/cultural needs require emergency registration
Resources
- • GOV.UK Bank Holidays: gov.uk/bank-holidays
- • Find a Registrar: gov.uk/register-offices
- • Local Council Out-of-Hours: Check your council website
- • Tell Us Once: gov.uk/after-a-death/organisations-you-need-to-contact-and-tell-us-once
Regional Variations
Remember: Scotland has different bank holidays (including January 2nd and St. Andrew's Day) and an 8-day registration deadline instead of 5 days.
Northern Ireland has additional bank holidays (St. Patrick's Day and Battle of the Boyne) that don't apply in England and Wales.
Related Guides
You might also find these guides helpful
How to Register a Death in the UK
Everything you need to know about registering a death, including documents, timelines, and local registrars.
How to Register a Death in England and Wales
Specific requirements for death registration in England and Wales, including online booking and required documents.
How to Register a Death in Scotland
Complete guide to death registration in Scotland, including 8-day deadline, National Records procedures, and key differences from England/Wales.