What do I need to do first?

When someone dies, a Doctor issues a medical certificate of cause of death. This certificate will be sent directly to the Registrars in the area where the death occurred, along with next of kin details.

To contact the Registrars when instructed to do so the details below may be of use:

If the death occurred in Kent you may use Kent County Council’s online service at:
www.kent.gov.uk/registration. Alternatively, you can call KCC’s contact centre on: 03000 415151.

Please note:
Kent does not include the Medway Towns (Chatham, Gillingham, Rochester, Strood) or the London Boroughs of Bexley or Bromley. Any deaths occurring in these areas must be registered there. If you are unsure where you need to register please call
03000 415151 for advice.

If the death occurred in East Sussex
you will need to contact the Registration Office on 0345 60 80 198 for advice or online at www.eastsussex.gov.uk