UK Death Notification Process: Complete Guide 2025 for All Organisations

After someone dies in the UK, you must notify dozens of organisations - from government departments to private companies. This comprehensive guide explains the complete UK death notification process, who needs to be informed, what order to notify them in, which notifications can be automated, and exact timelines for each organisation.

Average reading time: 20 minutes • Last updated: January 2025

Use Tell Us Once to Notify 20+ Organisations Automatically

The free Tell Us Once service notifies most government departments and local council services automatically with a single notification. This includes DWP (benefits), HMRC (tax), DVLA (driving licence), passport office, local council, and more. Request Tell Us Once when you register the death or within 28 days at gov.uk/tell-us-once. This saves hours of individual notifications.

Quick Overview: UK Death Notification Process

Here's the complete notification process at a glance:

The Tell Us Once Service: Notify 20+ Organisations Automatically

Tell Us Once is a free UK government service that lets you report a death to multiple government organisations simultaneously:

What Tell Us Once Notifies

The service automatically informs:

How to Use Tell Us Once

  1. Register the death first - You must register the death before using Tell Us Once
  2. Request at registration - Most Register Offices offer Tell Us Once immediately after registration, or you can request it within 28 days
  3. Get your reference number - Registrar gives you a unique Tell Us Once reference number
  4. Complete online or by phone - Use reference at gov.uk/tell-us-once or call 0800 085 7308 (8am-8pm Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm Sat)
  5. Takes 20-30 minutes - You'll need deceased's details: NI number, addresses for last 3 years, benefit/pension details, NHS number, passport number, driving licence number
  6. Notifications sent within 1 day - Most organisations updated within 24 hours

What Tell Us Once Doesn't Cover

You still need to notify separately:

Priority 1: Immediate Notifications (Hours 1-24)

These must be done within the first 24 hours:

1. Doctor to Certify Death

2. Immediate Family and Close Friends

3. Employer or Business Partners

4. Funeral Director

Priority 2: Within 5 Days (Death Registration)

Legal requirement in England/Wales (8 days in Scotland):

Register Office

Order Multiple Death Certificates at Registration

Order 5-10 certified death certificates during registration at £12.50 each (vs £15+ later). You need separate certificates for: each bank (many won't accept copies), Probate Registry, HMRC, pension providers, insurance companies, mortgage lender, property transfers, and more. Most estates need 5-10 certificates minimum.

Priority 3: Within 1 Week (Financial & Essential Services)

Notify these organisations within 7 days to prevent issues:

Banks and Building Societies

Insurance Companies

Pension Providers

Utility Companies

Phone, Broadband, and TV

Priority 4: Within 2 Weeks (Credit & Subscriptions)

Mortgage Lender or Landlord

Credit Cards and Loans

Subscriptions and Memberships

Priority 5: Within 1 Month (Non-Essential Notifications)

Online and Social Media Accounts

Loyalty and Reward Schemes

Charities and Regular Donations

Complete Notification Checklist by Category

Government and Public Services (Most via Tell Us Once)

Financial Services (Notify Separately)

Property and Housing

Transport

Communications and Media

Healthcare

Memberships and Subscriptions

Online and Digital

How to Make Notifications Easier

1. Create a Master List

Before you start notifying, create a complete list by:

2. Use Tell Us Once First

Start with Tell Us Once to handle 20+ government notifications in one go. This frees you to focus on private companies and financial institutions.

3. Batch Similar Notifications

Group notifications by type:

4. Keep a Tracking Spreadsheet

Record for each organisation:

5. Send by Recorded Delivery

For important notifications (banks, insurance, pensions), send death certificates by recorded delivery and keep tracking numbers.

6. Get Written Confirmation

Always request written confirmation that accounts have been frozen, closed, or transferred. Keep these letters for probate records.

Common Notification Problems and Solutions

Problem: Organisation Won't Accept Death Certificate Copy

Solution: This is why you should order 5-10 original certified copies during registration. If you run out, order more from the Register Office (£15 each). Some organisations accept solicitor- certified copies - ask if this is acceptable before ordering more.

Problem: Can't Find All Accounts

Solution: Check 12 months of bank statements for direct debits and standing orders. Use My Lost Account service (mylostaccount.org.uk) for banks. Check credit reference agencies (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion) for credit accounts. Search email for account confirmations.

Problem: Organisation Keeps Charging After Notification

Solution: This shouldn't happen once bank account is frozen. If it does, contact organisation immediately with date you notified them and request refund. Report to Financial Ombudsman if they refuse. Keep records of when you notified (reference numbers, emails).

Problem: Tell Us Once Not Available

Solution: Tell Us Once is only available in England, Wales, and Scotland (not Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, or Channel Islands). If unavailable, you must notify each government department separately: DWP Bereavement Service 0800 731 0469, HMRC 0300 200 3300, DVLA 0300 790 6802, Passport Office 0300 222 0000, local council directly.

Problem: Overseas Accounts and Services

Solution: For overseas banks, pensions, and properties, contact each directly with certified death certificate copy (you may need international certified copies). Some countries require local probate. Check if double taxation treaties apply. Seek specialist international probate advice if significant overseas assets (over £50,000).

Timeline: When to Notify Each Organisation

Day 1 (Immediate)

Days 2-5 (Before Registration)

Day 5-8 (Registration Week)

Week 2

Weeks 3-4

Related Guides

Next Steps After Notifying Organisations

Once you've completed the notification process:

  1. Gather all valuations - Banks, pensions, property, investments for probate application
  2. List all liabilities - Mortgages, loans, credit cards, utility bills
  3. Calculate estate value - Total assets minus debts to determine if inheritance tax due
  4. Apply for probate - If estate value exceeds bank thresholds (typically £5k-£50k)
  5. Distribute the estate - Pay debts in priority order, then distribute to beneficiaries

The death notification process is one of the first major tasks in estate administration. Using Tell Us Once for government notifications saves significant time, but you'll still need to notify 20-40 private organisations separately. Taking it methodically - one category at a time - makes an overwhelming task manageable. Keep detailed records of every notification for probate and to track outstanding refunds or balances.

Farra is a digital assistant that helps with death admin and bereavement support in the UK. From registering a death to applying for probate, Farra provides step-by-step guidance, essential documents, and practical help for families navigating the administrative side of loss. Designed to bring clarity and compassion to the most difficult moments, Farra simplifies estate paperwork, bank notifications, and funeral-related tasks so you can focus on what matters.