How to register a death
Death abroad
The death of a relative or friend is always distressing. But if it happens abroad the distress can be made worse by practical problems.
After the death of a loved one abroad you are likely to have countless questions. What should I do now? How can I communicate with people in a foreign language? Who can I turn to for advice?
The FCO have produced the leaflet below that gives advice and outlines what the Embassy can and cannot do to assist in the event of the death of British national.
Registering a death
There is no obligation for the death of British nationals abroad to be registered with the British Embassy. However there are the advantages that a British form of death certificate is then available and that a record of the death is afterwards held at the General Register Office in the United Kingdom.
If you wish to apply for this service, please complete the following form and return.
Before the application is processed, the Registration Officer must be satisfied as to the national status of the person whose death is to be registered. Documentary evidence of this must therefore be provided and should accompany the application.
We will need to see:
-
The original of the civil death certificate issued by the local authorities
-
Evidence of the deceased's claim to British nationality:
-
full birth certificate OR
-
full British passport OR
-
certificate of naturalisation or of registration as a British national
We need to see original documents which will be returned to you as soon as possible. Photocopies of documents are not acceptable.
