Registering a Death in Ireland – Step-by-Step Guide

Registering a Death in Ireland

It is a legal requirement in Ireland that every death occurring in the State must be recorded and registered. Death records are held by the General Register Office, which is the central civil repository for births, marriages and deaths.

You can register a death with any Registrar of Births, Marriages and Deaths, regardless of where the death occurred. Registration should happen as soon as possible, and no later than three months after the death.

Who Can Register a Death?

The death is usually registered by the next of kin, but it may also be registered by:

• Someone present at the death or during the final illness
• A near neighbour
• The undertaker
• A hospital official
• A person who found or took charge of the body
• A personal representative of the deceased
• Anyone with knowledge of the death and the required details

How to Register a Death

To register a death, you must:

1. Obtain a Death Notification Form from the doctor who attended the deceased.
2. Complete Part 2 of the form with personal details.
3. Bring the form and photo ID to any civil registration office.
4. Sign the Register in the presence of the Registrar.

There is no charge to register a death.

If the Cause of Death Is Unclear

A doctor cannot issue a Death Notification Form if:

• They did not see the deceased in the month before death
• They are unsure of the cause of death

In these cases, the death must be reported to the Coroner, who may order a post-mortem or inquest. The Coroner will then issue a certificate to the Registrar to complete the registration.

If there is a delay due to a post-mortem, you can request an Interim Certificate of the Fact of Death from the Coroner to notify institutions like banks or the Department of Social Protection.

Death Certificate Fees

While registration is free, fees apply for copies of the death certificate:

• €20 for a full standard certificate
• €5 for an uncertified copy of an entry in the Register
• €10 for an authenticated certificate (only from the General Register Office)
• Free if the deceased was under 1 year old and the certificate is requested at the time of registration

You do not need to apply for a certificate for social welfare purposes—the Department of Social Protection will access the information directly.

Where to Apply

You can register a death or apply for a certificate:

• Online
• In person at any civil registration office
• By phone
• By email with a completed form to: GROonlinepayments@welfare.ie

For late registrations (more than 12 months after death), contact:

General Register Office
Government Offices
Convent Road
Roscommon F42 VX53
Ireland
Tel: +353 90 663 2900
Fax: +353 90 663 2999
Website: www.gov.ie/gro
Email: gro@welfare.ie
[citizensinformation.ie]