A death certificate copy costs £12.50 when ordered online through the General Register Office (GRO) in England and Wales. Standard processing takes around 4 working days if you have the GRO index reference number — or up to 15 working days if you do not. Anyone can order a copy; you do not need to be a relative of the deceased. If you need the certificate sooner, a priority service is available for £38.50.
What most people get wrong about death certificates
The first and most common point of confusion is between two separate documents. The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) is the document a doctor issues to the family after a death. It states the cause of death and is what you take to the register office to register the death. The death certificate is what the register office issues to you in return, once the death has been formally registered. They are not the same document, and organisations such as banks, pension providers, and the probate registry will not accept the MCCD — they require the official death certificate.
The second issue is the GRO index reference number. Many people are unaware that ordering without this number adds a £3.50 search fee and extends the standard processing time from around 4 working days to around 15. The reference number is printed on the document you receive when you register the death. If you have it, use it — the difference in turnaround is significant.
The third is ordering too few copies. Banks, pension providers, insurers, mortgage lenders, the probate registry, HMRC, and utilities providers each typically require an original certified copy. Photocopies and scans are not accepted. For an estate with several financial accounts, ordering ten or more copies at the point of registration is not unusual. Extra copies ordered at the same time cost the same per certificate.
What is a death certificate?
A death certificate is the official legal record of a person’s death, issued by the register office once the death has been formally registered. It contains: the deceased’s full name, date of death, place of death, cause of death, the name and address of the person who registered the death (the informant), and the registrar’s details.
The death certificate is different from the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death. The MCCD is completed by the attending doctor or hospital and given to the family. It records the clinical cause of death and enables the death to be registered. The death certificate is what you receive from the register office at or after registration, and it is the document accepted as official proof of death by organisations in the UK.
A photocopy or digital scan of a death certificate is not accepted as proof of death by banks, pension providers, insurers, or the probate registry. Organisations require an original certified copy — a document printed on security paper with the register office’s watermark. Some organisations will accept a digital share code issued through the Tell Us Once service – GOV.UK, but this is not universal and you should always check first.
How to get a copy of a death certificate
Online through the GRO
The fastest and cheapest route for deaths registered in England and Wales is the GRO certificate ordering service – GOV.UK. You will need the deceased’s full name, date of death, and place of death. If you have the GRO index reference number — which you receive when the death is registered — include it. With the reference number, standard processing is around 4 working days and no search fee applies. Without it, processing takes around 15 working days and a £3.50 search fee is added to your order.
Extra copies ordered at the same time cost £12.50 each. You can order as many as you need in a single transaction.
From the local register office
The register office where the death was registered can issue copies directly. This can sometimes be quicker than ordering through the GRO for recent deaths, and for deaths that occurred very recently the local register office may be the only route while the GRO record is being processed. Fees at local register offices are set at a statutory rate of £12.50 per certificate in England and Wales.
By post
A paper application form is available from the GRO or any local register office. Send the completed form with payment by cheque or postal order. Postal applications take longer than online applications — allow at least 10 working days on top of any search time.
Can anyone get a copy of a death certificate?
Yes. Death certificates are public records in the UK. You do not need to be a relative, solicitor, or executor to order one. You will need to provide sufficient details to identify the record: the deceased’s full name, date of death, and place of death.
Records held by the GRO cover deaths registered in England and Wales from July 1837 onwards. For deaths before that date, records were kept in parish registers and are held by local archives or the Church of England rather than the GRO. The NRS holds Scottish records from 1855 and the GRONI holds Northern Irish records from 1864.
What is an interim death certificate?
An interim death certificate is issued by the coroner in England and Wales when a death is being investigated and the cause has not yet been established — for example, where an inquest is required. It confirms that a death has occurred but does not state the cause of death.
This can happen when a death was sudden, unexpected, or the circumstances require investigation. In these cases, the registrar cannot issue a full death certificate until the coroner’s inquest is concluded, which may take months or in some cases years.
The practical question most people have is whether an interim death certificate is enough to get on with estate administration. For most purposes, the answer is yes. An interim death certificate can be used to begin the probate process, notify banks, pension providers and insurers, and start dealing with the estate. It cannot be used to obtain a full death certificate, and some organisations may ask for the full certificate once it is issued. Once the inquest concludes, the coroner notifies the register office and a full death certificate can then be obtained through the usual process.
In Scotland, the process works differently. Deaths subject to investigation are handled by the Procurator Fiscal rather than a coroner. An interim death certificate is not issued in the same way — instead, the Procurator Fiscal may issue a certificate for burial or cremation while an investigation is ongoing. Contact the local procurator fiscal office or registrar in Scotland if you are in this situation.
Death certificate fees
All fees below are correct as of 2026. Local register office fees in England and Wales are set by statutory instrument and may vary slightly by authority.
| Route | Standard | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| England and Wales — GRO online (with GRO reference number) | £12.50 | £38.50 |
| England and Wales — GRO online (without GRO reference number) | £12.50 + £3.50 search fee | £38.50 + £3.50 search fee |
| England and Wales — local register office | £12.50 | varies |
| Scotland — NRS via Scotland’s People | £12 | available; fee varies by council |
| Scotland — local register office (e.g. Scottish Certificates) | £15 | £27 (£15 + £12 priority fee) |
| Northern Ireland — GRONI | £15 | £20 total |
Notes on specific services: the GRO priority service dispatches the next working day when ordered before 4pm. The Northern Ireland priority service dispatches the same working day when ordered before 12pm; additional copies of the same NI certificate ordered at the same time cost £8 each. Note that the NI certificate fee includes a £7 search fee, which is retained even if the record is not found. In Scotland, the NRS route via Scotland’s People is the cheapest at £12 but takes around 15 working days; local register offices charge £15 but typically dispatch within 3–5 working days.
Confirm current fees before applying at the GRO certificate ordering service – GOV.UK.
How long does it take to get a death certificate?
| Route | Processing time |
|---|---|
| GRO online — with GRO reference number | Around 4 working days |
| GRO online — without GRO reference number | Around 15 working days |
| GRO priority service | Next working day (if ordered before 4pm) |
| Local register office (England and Wales) | Often same day or within a few days for recent deaths |
| Postal application | 10 working days or more |
| Scotland — NRS / Scotland’s People | Around 15 working days |
| Scotland — local register office (Scottish Certificates) | 3–5 working days; same day dispatch priority if before 12pm |
| Northern Ireland — GRONI standard | 5 working days |
| Northern Ireland — GRONI priority | Same working day dispatch if ordered before 12pm |
Processing time at the GRO starts from when the application and payment are received, not from when the death was registered. The GRO index reference number — printed on the registration document given to the informant — is the single biggest factor affecting how quickly a copy can be issued. If you do not have it, the GRO must search its indexes manually, which accounts for the difference between 4 and 15 working days.
Ordering from Scotland or Northern Ireland
Scotland
Deaths in Scotland are registered with local registrars and records are held by the National Records of Scotland (NRS). There are two main routes for ordering a copy.
The NRS route via Scotland’s People costs £12 per certificate, with additional copies of the same certificate costing £10 each. Standard processing takes around 15 working days. A priority service for next working day dispatch is available at checkout. Records are available from 1855 onwards.
Local council register offices provide a faster alternative. The Scottish Certificates service — run by Clackmannanshire Council Registration Service and covering events registered throughout Scotland — charges £15 per certificate, with additional copies at £10 each. Standard processing is 3–5 working days. Priority dispatch (same day if ordered before 12pm) costs an additional £12, bringing the total to £27.
In Scotland, deaths must be registered within 8 days (compared to 5 days in England and Wales). The death must be registered with the local registrar, but copies can be ordered from any computerised register office in Scotland for events registered more than one year ago.
Northern Ireland
Deaths in Northern Ireland are registered with local registrars and records are held by the General Register Office for Northern Ireland (GRONI). You can order online at order a death certificate online – nidirect, by phone on 0300 200 7890, or in person at the GRONI office in Belfast. Records are available from 1864 onwards.
The standard fee is £15 per certificate. Two or more copies of the same certificate ordered at the same time cost £8 each for the additional copies. The priority fee is £20 in total. Priority orders placed before 12pm are dispatched the same working day. Standard orders are processed within 5 working days.
Note that the fee includes a £7 search fee, which is retained even if the record is not found. This applies to all GRONI applications regardless of outcome.
FAQ
What is the difference between a death certificate and a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death?
The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) is issued by the attending doctor or hospital and given to the family. It states the clinical cause of death and is used to register the death at the register office. The death certificate is the official document issued by the register office after registration. They are separate documents. Banks, pension providers, and the probate registry require the death certificate, not the MCCD.
How much does a death certificate copy cost in the UK?
In England and Wales, ordering online through the GRO costs £12.50 per copy for the standard service, or £38.50 for the priority service (next working day dispatch if ordered before 4pm). Without a GRO reference number, a £3.50 search fee applies. In Scotland, the fee is £12 per certificate through the NRS. In Northern Ireland, the fee is £15 through GRONI.
Can anyone get a copy of a death certificate in the UK?
Yes. Death certificates are public records and anyone can order a copy. You do not need to be a relative of the deceased. You will need the deceased’s full name, date of death, and place of death to identify the record.
How long does it take to get a death certificate?
In England and Wales, standard GRO online orders take around 4 working days with a GRO reference number, or around 15 working days without one. The priority service dispatches the next working day. Local register offices can often issue copies more quickly for recent deaths.
What is an interim death certificate?
An interim death certificate is issued by the coroner when a death is being investigated and the cause has not yet been established. It confirms the death has occurred but does not state the cause. It can be used to begin the probate process and notify most organisations, but a full death certificate is issued once the inquest concludes.
Can I use an interim death certificate for probate?
Yes, for most purposes. An interim death certificate is accepted by the probate registry to begin the process. Some organisations may request the full death certificate once it is available. Once the coroner’s inquest is concluded, a full death certificate can be obtained in the usual way.
How many copies of a death certificate do I need?
It depends on the complexity of the estate. Each bank, pension provider, insurer, mortgage lender, and utility provider typically requires an original certified copy. For a straightforward estate, ten copies is a commonly suggested starting point. For more complex estates with multiple accounts or overseas assets, fifteen or more may be needed. Additional copies ordered at the same time cost the same per certificate.
What information do I need to order a death certificate copy?
You need the deceased’s full name, date of death, and place of death. Including the GRO index reference number (given when the death was registered) will significantly speed up your order and avoids the additional search fee.
Can I get a death certificate online?
Yes. The GRO online ordering service at order a birth, death or marriage certificate – GOV.UK is the fastest route for deaths registered in England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own online services.
Next Steps
- Apply for a marriage certificate copy – GOVexplained
- How to replace a lost birth certificate – GOVexplained
- How to change your name legally in the UK – GOVexplained
Other sources
- Order a birth, death or marriage certificate – GOV.UK
- Register a death – GOV.UK
- Tell Us Once – GOV.UK
- Order a copy of a certificate – National Records of Scotland
- Order a death certificate online – nidirect