Death of close relative - how do I order/request death certificates?

Snowclock

Hi,

So, sadly there's been the passing of a close relative, and I'm being tasked with the job of sorting things out financially, even though I'm not quite sure about some things.

It seems to close bank accounts and the like, I have to have death certificates to prove the person has passed on, and perhaps also something called a "A GRO index reference number", but I'm currently being driven mad by government websites, trying to get either. I've never been so baffled in all my life.

I signed up to the government's GRO website, https://www.gro.gov.uk, that told me I could get such things there, I try to apply for a death certificate there, and  then I get to https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/app_select.asp and it says:

"Applications for events registered within the last 6 months cannot be made via this site."

Marvelous. But...where can I?! It doesn't tell me where I CAN go to get them. Can I maybe not do it online, do I maybe have to go to the council or something instead?

Thanks!

FatherTireseus

Who registered the death?  Copies of death certificates are normally acquired when the death is actually registered.  I’m assuming that someone else has already registered the death as if it was you, you would have been asked how many copies of the death certificate you required at the time of registration.  If the death hasn’t been registered this needs to be done within 5 days of the death.

Are you an executor of the estate?  I’d only expect an executor to be dealing with financial institutions, and please be aware that some banks may require a grant of probate before giving the proceeds of the bank accounts to an executor.

sheramber

The site you are looking is for copies of a death already registered. Has the death been registered? If not , then it needs to be registered with the local registrar. A death certificate is issued at that time. You can request more than one as sometimes you need to send it away so having more than one is useful. 

theoretica

Has the death been registered?  If not, you may need to be the person who does this and can get death certificates during the process.  If it has been registered, you will need to get the certificates from the registry service where it was registered, not yet the central system. 

sheramber

This site will help you if the death has not been registered. https://www.gov.uk/register-a-death

Grumpelstiltskin

OP Slow down, who says you are responsible for sorting finances?
Register Offices will probably be closed over the holiday period so if no one has registered the death it won't be done in a hurry.
Before you get too far involved with the finances are you sure the estate is solvent, that means assets are more than debts?
If it isn't solvent be extremely careful what you do, keep coming back here for advice.

Snowclock

Ok, I'll get more details today. Some things have done without me, then they've decided they didn't want to carry on, so it's been passed to me. Thanks for the replies.

Grumpelstiltskin

OK You need full exact details of the situation.   You don't have to do anything you don't want to do, don't be pressured into taking on something you are not happy with.

SeniorSam

I don't believe that it can just be passed to you. If the appointed executor has decided not to proceed, then someone else, possibly you, need to apply for letters of administration if there is no Will, or apply to the Court for permission to act. Speak with the Registra's office and they can advise you.

gettingtheresometime

Also remember that alot of institutions will accepts pdf of the original death certificate so you may not need to gets lots of copy of the death certificate.

I only got one copy and to date, that's been sufficient.

GrumpyDil

But first thing is not to rush. If the estate is insolvent you do not want to get involved and I'm wondering if that is why the original person has backed out?