Registering a Death

When a person dies, a family member will usually register their death. However, if a member of the deceased’s immediate family is not present, others are legally permitted to register the death including:

• Those present at the time of death
• A person who lived in the home where the death occurred
• An executor – a person responsible for making funeral arrangements
• A responsible person who was present at the hospital or residential home when the person died

A death must be registered with the registrar for the area where it occurred within five working days.

If the death occurred at home, in hospital or private residential care, a medical certificate of the cause of death will be issued by the hospital or a GP. If a coroner has been informed they will send the form for registration to the registrar office. We will liaise with the coroner on your behalf.

If you wish to register a death, you will require the following information:

• The time, date and location of death
• The deceased’s full name and NHS number, date of birth and occupation
• Any other names by which that person may have been known by (i.e. if they have changed their name)
• Their surname before marriage or civil partnership and the full name of their wife, husband or civil partner
• Their usual address

Local Register Offices:

Wigan Life Centre (North), The Wiend
Open Monday to Friday, 9.10am to 4.30pm
Telephone: 01942 404364

Leigh Town Hall, Market Street
Open Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 9.30am to 4pm
Telephone: 01942 404364

St Helens Register Office
Central Street
St Helens
WA10 1UJ

Open 9.00 am to 4.00 pm, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9.00 am to 12.30 pm Wednesdays
Telephone 01744 676789

Warrington Registrar Office
The Registrar Office
Museum Street
Warrington
WA1 1JX
Open Monday to Friday 9am to 4.30pm
Telephone: 01925 442762

Bolton Registrar Office
Bolton Council
Town Hall
Victoria Square
Bolton
BL1 1RU
Telephone : 01204 331185

To make an appointment please contact Access Bolton by phone, Monday to Friday between 8.00am and 6.00pm and on Saturdays from 9.00am to 1.00pm. Appointments are available at Bolton Town Hall, Mere Hall and at The Royal Bolton Hospital but must be booked through Access Bolton. Following a bank holiday, the phone lines will open the next working day from 8.00am.