In Scotland, a death can be registered by:
- any relative of the person who died, including a relative by marriage or civil partnership
- any person present at the death (for example a friend, district nurse, neighbour)
- an executor or other legal representative
- person in charge of the care home, hospital, or other institution where the death happened
This person is known as an informant.
If none of them can do it
If none of these people can register the death, any other person can register the death. They’ll need to know the details that the registrar will ask for.
The funeral director responsible for arranging the person’s funeral can act as informant on behalf of someone else, if you ask them to.
Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD)
The registrar will need this to register a death.
The registered medical practitioner who attended to the deceased will produce it. They’ll send it to the registration office of your choice.
Reviews of MCCDs
Around 12% of MCCD’s will be randomly selected for review.
An automated system will make the selection. The Death Certification Review Team will then carry out the review. They check to make sure the certificate's details are accurate.
If the funeral has to take place within a certain timescale, you can apply for advance registration. Contact the registration office as soon as possible to request an advance registration.
