Registering a death

We are here to help you register a death as simply and compassionately as possible. By law, a death must be registered within eight days. If the death happened in Scotland, you can register it by phone with us or, if needed, in person in Hamilton. This process allows funeral arrangements to go ahead and lets you access certificates and support services. 

Please read all of this page, as well as the Death Certification Review Service and the Tell Us Once pages before you book an appointment.

Where and how to register

Most death registrations are completed over the phone.

If you need to visit us in person, you can request an appointment at our Registration Office at Council Headquarters in Hamilton. To do this, email licensing@southlanarkshire.gov.uk or phone 0303 123 1015 and choose option 7.

A death that took place in Scotland can be registered at any registration office in Scotland. We cannot register deaths that happened outside Scotland.

If someone must be taken out of the country urgently and it is outwith office hours, phone the emergency number 0800 242024.

What we need before your appointment

The doctor must email the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death to the registration office you plan to use. This certificate must be fully completed and signed before we can begin registration.

If you are registering in South Lanarkshire, the doctor should email the certificate to licensing@southlanarkshire.gov.uk and post the original to the registration office in Hamilton at Licensing and Registration Section, Floor 11, Council Offices, Almada Street, Hamilton ML3 0AA. Please do not ask the doctor to send it to more than one office.

We may need to contact you more than once to complete the registration.

Who can register a death

A death is usually registered by a relative or close friend, but anyone can do this if they know the required details. We will ask about the person’s birth and any marriages or civil partnerships.

Costs and certificates

There is no charge to register a death. We will provide, free of charge, the form needed for the funeral, an abbreviated death certificate, and the Tell Us Once reference number.

A full death certificate costs £10 at the time of registration. Fees are higher if you order copy certificates later.