Registering a Death

When To Register

In Scotland, all deaths must now be registered before burial or cremation can be booked.

No time can be arranged for a funeral until the form has been issued from the registrars and brought to the funeral director.  However preliminary arrangements can still be made with the funeral director prior to registering the death.

Where To Register

If the death has occurred in Scotland, it can be registered at any registrar’s office in Scotland. Phone first to make an appointment at the office you require. There are 8 registrar offices in Fife as shown below.  The central telephone number for all these offices is: 03451 550 077.

You can register a death at the following locations in Fife:

  • Cowdenbeath Local Office

  • Cupar Local Office

  • Dunfermline Local Office

  • Glenrothes Local Office

  • Inverkeithing Civic Centre (Tuesdays & Fridays only)

  • Kirkcaldy Local Office

  • Methil Local Office

  • St Andrews Local Office (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays only)

These offices are open at the following times:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
9.00am to 12.00 noon and 1.00pm to 5.00pm

Wednesday

10.00am (10.30am at Kirkcaldy) to 12.00 noon and 1.00pm to 5.00pm

Who Can Register

The following people can register a death:

  • Any relative of the person who has died.

  • Any person present at the death.

  • The deceased’s executor or other legal representative.

  • The occupier of the property where the person died, or if there is no such person present.

  • Anyone else who knows the information to be registered.

What To Take

Prior to attending the registrar, you should take the following documents with you, if you have them:

  • The medical certificate showing the cause of death.

  • Their birth certificate.

  • Their marriage/civil partnership certificate.

  • Their medical card.

If The Death Occurs Abroad

You should register the death according to local regulations in the country concerned and obtain a certificate of death. You may also be able to register the death with the British Consul in that country for a fee. However, there is no obligation to do so. A record of the death will be sent to Scotland and you will thereafter be able to get a copy.