Registering a death

We realise that this may be a difficult time for you and your family if you have recently experienced a bereavement. In this section, there is information on how to register a death in the Scottish Borders and what we can do to help you at this difficult time.

Registering the death of a person who dies in Scotland

A relative, family friend or person with knowledge of the details required (i.e. information on the deceased's birth and/or marriage certificate(s)) may register the death. When you receive the death certificate (Form 11) from the doctor, you should:

contact the Registrar at any Registration Office in Scotland, (you will need to make an appointment in the Scottish Borders),
take the Form 11 and any certificates (birth and marriage and NHS medical card if available) that you have to hand, with you, and
be prepared to answer questions about the deceased and his or her parents.

When the register is signed

you will be given a form for the undertaker(form 14)
you will also be given a form to complete and send to the DSS
we will notify the council sections for council tax and the electoral register

Death Extract

An abbreviated extract of death will be issued free of charge. If you need to purchase a full copy for insurance or banking purposes, it will cost you £9.00 at the time of registration, or before the 31st December of the year the death was registered. There will be an additional charge of £5 if you apply after that date.

If you require further copies before December 31st of the year of registering the death, you should contact the office where the death was registered. After that you can obtain copies from any registration office in Scotland.