Registering a death in Sunderland
Where to go, what to take, and how long you have.
You register a death at a register office, by appointment. You have five days from when the medical examiner’s office confirms you can, and in Sunderland the office is at City Hall.
If the death has been reported to the coroner, the timing works differently. A referral does not always mean there will be an investigation, and we explain what happens then.
A medical examiner is a senior doctor who independently reviews the circumstances and cause of death. You can arrange your appointment in line with the registrar’s process once their office has confirmed you can register.
The five days include weekends and bank holidays. If you need longer, tell the register office straight away.
Where you go, and how to book
Where
Sunderland City Hall, Plater Way, Sunderland, SR1 3AA
Booking
Appointment only. Ring 0191 520 5553.
Elsewhere
If the death happened outside Sunderland, find the right office with the GOV.UK register office finder.
What the registrar will ask and what to bring
The registrar will ask about the person who died:
- their full name
- their date and place of birth
- their last occupation and their usual address
- whether they were married or in a civil partnership, and if so their husband’s, wife’s or partner’s full name and occupation
- whether they received a state pension or other benefits
It helps to bring their birth certificate, their marriage or civil partnership certificate, and something with their address on it, such as a council tax bill. If you cannot find them, you can still register the death.
Who can register the death
A relative should register the death if they can. If not, it can be:
- someone who was there when the person died
- a hospital administrator, if the person died in hospital
- the person in charge of the funeral arrangements.
What you are given, and what it costs
You are given the green form. The certificate for burial or cremation must be provided before the burial or cremation can take place. We can help you with this as part of the funeral arrangements.
You can buy certified copies of the death certificate at the appointment, and the registrar will tell you the cost. Copies ordered later from the General Register Office cost £12.50 each.
Tell Us Once is offered at the appointment
The registrar will either go through Tell Us Once with you or give you a reference number to use yourself. It reports the death to most government departments at once. Read what to do in the first days after a death for more.
Contact us if you are unsure what to do next
We do this every week and we are happy to talk it through, whether or not you have decided on a funeral director.
