Registering a death

Tell Us Once is a free government service that helps you report a death to many public services in one go. After you register the death, you can use Tell Us Once to save time and avoid having to contact each organisation separately. The service is optional, secure and confidential.

What Tell Us Once does

When you use Tell Us Once, HM Government will share the information securely with services that need to know. This can include:

• the council, to update things like council tax, housing services, housing benefit, blue badges and the electoral register
• HM Revenue and Customs, for tax, child benefit and tax credits
• the Department for Work and Pensions, for benefits such as state pension or universal credit
• the Passport Office, to cancel a British passport
• the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, to cancel a driving licence and update vehicle records
• Public Sector or Armed Forces pension schemes

Tell Us Once does not contact banks, utility companies or other commercial organisations, and it does not redirect post.

How to use Tell Us Once

After you register the death, we will give you a unique Tell Us Once reference number. You can then use the service online at www.gov.uk/after-a-death. 

You may find it helpful to have some of the following details to hand, if available:

• the person’s date of birth and address
• national insurance number
• driving licence and passport details
• vehicle registration numbers
• details of any council services they received
• dates of recent hospital, hospice or care home stays

If you are next of kin

If you are the next of kin, your benefits or tax situation may change. Please have your own National Insurance number or date of birth ready when using the service.

If you are not the next of kin, you can still use Tell Us Once as long as you have permission to act on behalf of the family or the person dealing with the estate.

What happens next

You do not need to follow up unless you do not hear back from a service after about a month. Any organisation that needs more information will contact you directly.

A short British sign language video explaining Tell Us Once is available online.

A short information video which explains the Tell Us Once service is available below: