Book an appointment to register
Coronavirus (COVID-19) updates
If you need to register a death that occurred in Medway, you no longer need to attend the register office in person. We are now accepting registrations by phone. Contact us on 01634 338 998 to make your phone appointment.
Face coverings
From Saturday 8 August, you must wear a face covering in many of our venues. This includes Medway Registry Office. Find out more about face coverings.
More coronavirus (COVID-19) updates
When to register a death
If someone dies within the Medway Council area you need to register the death with us at the Medway Register Office.
A death should be registered within 5 days.
You need to have the medical cause of death certificate from the doctor before you can register a death. If the coroner has held a post-mortem, they will issue the medical paperwork directly to the registrar. The coroner's officer will usually contact you when the paperwork has been completed to allow you to make an appointment to register the death.
To book an appointment to register a death in Medway, phone 01634 338 899.
Registrations are made by appointment to avoid unnecessary waiting. Appointments can be made for between 9.30am and 3.30pm, Monday to Friday.
If the coroner has held a post-mortem, they will issue the medical paperwork directly to the registrar. The coroner's officer will usually contact you when the paperwork has been completed to allow you to make an appointment to register the death.
Tell Us Once service
After someone dies you will need to notify many organisations and departments. At your appointment the registrar will give you details of the Tell Us Once service. This service can help you report the death to a range of local and central government organisations in one go.
If you are not able to attend the Medway Register Office
If it is not possible to attend at the Medway Register Office, the registration may be made by visiting any registrar’s office in England and Wales to make a declaration.
This is a statement that the local registrar will send to the Medway Register Office where the registration will then be made.
In this case, the death certificate(s), the form for the funeral director and a Certificate of Registration of Death will be sent by post. This will be done as soon as possible but time should be allowed for the post in both directions.
Registrars at Medway are able to take declarations for deaths which take place outside the Medway area.