Death Certificate: How Many Copies Do You Need?
Quick Answer
You typically need 6-10 certified copies of the death certificate for UK death administration.Banks, insurance companies, pension providers, and government agencies all require certified copies. Order extra copies initially as it's cheaper than ordering more later.
Recommended Number of Copies:
- Simple estate: 6-8 certified copies
- Average estate: 8-12 certified copies
- Complex estate: 12-15 certified copies
- Business ownership: 15+ certified copies
- Cost: £11 each (2025 rates)
Contents
Who Needs Death Certificate Copies
Important
Most organizations keep the death certificate copy permanently, so you'll need a separate copy for each organization you contact.
Financial Institutions (3-5 copies typically needed)
Banks & Building Societies
- Each bank/building society needs 1 copy
- Even if multiple accounts with same bank
- Current accounts, savings, ISAs
- Credit cards and loans
Investment & Pensions
- Each pension provider needs 1 copy
- Investment platforms and brokers
- Share registrars for individual shares
- Premium Bonds (NS&I)
Insurance Companies (2-4 copies typically needed)
Each insurance company needs 1 copy for:
- Life insurance policies
- Home insurance cancellation
- Car insurance cancellation
- Travel insurance claims
- Private medical insurance
- Income protection insurance
Government & Legal (2-3 copies typically needed)
- HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)
- Probate Registry
- Department for Work & Pensions
- DVLA (for car ownership transfer)
- Local authority (council tax, housing)
- Solicitors or legal representatives
Property & Utilities (1-2 copies typically needed)
- Mortgage companies
- Land Registry (for property transfer)
- Utility companies (gas, electricity, water)
- Telephone/broadband providers
- Landlords (if rented property)
- Housing associations
Employers & Benefits (1-2 copies typically needed)
- Current or former employers (for final salary, benefits)
- Trade unions or professional bodies
- Benefit providers (disability, unemployment benefits)
- Occupational health schemes
Keep One for Yourself
Always keep at least one certified copy for your own records and for any unexpected requirements that arise later.
Certified Copies vs Photocopies
Certified Copies
- Official copies from registrar
- Have raised seal or watermark
- Accepted by all organizations
- Cost £11 each (2025)
- Required for legal/financial matters
Photocopies
- Regular photocopies of certificates
- No official seal or watermark
- Often not accepted
- Cost pennies to make
- Limited use for informal purposes
Who Accepts Photocopies?
Very limited - usually only:
- Some utility companies (for information only)
- Subscription cancellations
- Club or membership cancellations
- Some employers for payroll purposes
Always ask first - most organizations require certified copies.
False Economy Warning
Don't try to save money by using photocopies. Most organizations will reject them and ask for certified copies anyway, causing delays in processing your requests.
How Many Do You Need Calculator
Count Your Requirements:
Financial Institutions:
- □ Banks/building societies: _____ copies
- □ Credit card companies: _____ copies
- □ Pension providers: _____ copies
- □ Investment platforms: _____ copies
- □ Share registrars: _____ copies
Insurance Companies:
- □ Life insurance: _____ copies
- □ Home insurance: _____ copies
- □ Car insurance: _____ copies
- □ Other insurance: _____ copies
Government & Legal:
- □ HMRC: 1 copy
- □ Probate Registry: 1 copy
- □ DVLA: 1 copy (if car ownership)
- □ Solicitor: 1 copy
- □ Council: 1 copy
Other:
- □ Employers: _____ copies
- □ Utility companies: 1 copy
- □ Landlord/mortgage: 1 copy
- □ Keep for yourself: 1 copy
- □ Buffer for unexpected: 2-3 copies
Total Needed: _____ + 2-3 buffer = _____ copies
Add 2-3 extra copies as a buffer for unexpected requirements or mistakes.
Simple Estate
6-8 copies
Few accounts, no property, straightforward
Average Estate
8-12 copies
Property, multiple accounts, some investments
Complex Estate
12+ copies
Multiple properties, business interests, complex finances
Where to Order Copies
When Registering the Death (Recommended)
Best Option - Order at Registration
- Immediate availability - get copies on the day
- Same price as ordering later (£11 each)
- No waiting time for delivery
- Can pay by card or cash
- Registrar can advise on how many you need
After Registration
1. General Register Office (England & Wales)
- Online: gov.uk/order-copy-birth-death-marriage-certificate
- Phone: 0300 123 1837 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm)
- Cost: £11 per copy + £1.50 postage per order
- Delivery: 4 working days
2. Local Register Office
- Visit the register office where death was registered
- Same price as online (£11 each)
- Immediate collection available
- Can pay by card or cash
3. Scotland (National Records of Scotland)
- Online: nrscotland.gov.uk
- Phone: 0131 314 4433
- Cost: £15 per copy
4. Northern Ireland (General Register Office)
- Online: nidirect.gov.uk
- Phone: 028 9025 2000
- Cost: £14 per copy
Pro Tip
Order all the copies you think you'll need when registering the death. It saves time and ensures you have them immediately for urgent matters like bank account closures.
Costs in 2025
England & Wales
- Per copy: £11
- Online postage: £1.50 per order (not per copy)
- Express service: £35 per copy (next day)
- At registration: £11 (immediate)
Scotland & Northern Ireland
- Scotland: £15 per copy
- Northern Ireland: £14 per copy
- Express options: Available at higher cost
- Postage: Usually included
Cost Examples:
8 copies (typical need): £88 + £1.50 postage = £89.50
12 copies (complex estate): £132 + £1.50 postage = £133.50
5 extra copies later: £55 + £1.50 postage = £56.50
Money-saving tip: Order all copies at once to pay postage only once. Ordering 12 copies together costs the same per copy as ordering them individually, but saves on multiple postage charges.
Ordering More Copies Later
It's Always Possible
You can order additional certified copies at any time - there's no time limit. However, it takes longer and costs the same per copy.
Process for Additional Copies:
- Online or Phone: Use same methods as original ordering
- Information needed: Full name, date of death, place of death, your details
- Payment: Same price (£11 each + postage)
- Delivery: Usually 4-5 working days
- Express option: Available for urgent needs (£35 each)
When to Order More
- Discovered unknown accounts/policies
- International requirements arise
- Lost or damaged original copies
- Legal proceedings require additional copies
- Family members need copies abroad
Potential Delays
- 4-5 working days minimum delivery
- Longer during busy periods
- Express service not always available
- May delay urgent bank closures
Express Service
For urgent needs, express service is available for £35 per copy (next working day delivery). This is expensive but can be worthwhile for time-sensitive matters like property transactions.
Using UK Death Certificates Abroad
UK Death Certificates for International Use
If the deceased had assets abroad, you may need to use UK death certificates internationally. Additional UK government certification may be required.
Apostille Certificates
For use in countries that have signed the Hague Convention, you may need an apostille stamp:
- Cost: £30 per document
- Where: Legalisation Office (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office)
- Time: Usually 2-3 weeks
- Express: Same day service available for £75
Embassy Authentication
For countries not in the Hague Convention, you may need embassy authentication:
- First get apostille from UK government
- Then authenticate at relevant country's embassy/consulate
- Costs and timings vary by country
- Can take several weeks total
Common International Needs
- Foreign bank accounts or investments
- Property abroad owned by deceased
- International insurance policies
- Social security benefits in other countries
- Repatriating deceased's belongings
Planning Ahead
If you know international use is likely, order 2-3 extra certified copies initially. The apostille/authentication process uses up the original certificates, so you'll need extras.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Ordering Too Few
Many people order 3-4 copies thinking they can share them around. Each organization typically keeps the copy, so you need one per organization. Order 8-12 for most estates.
❌ Using Photocopies
Don't try to save money with photocopies. Most organizations won't accept them and will ask for certified copies anyway, causing delays.
❌ Not Ordering at Registration
The best time to order is when registering the death. You get them immediately and avoid postage delays when you need them urgently.
❌ Forgetting International Needs
If there are any foreign assets, investments, or property, you'll likely need additional copies for apostille/authentication processes.
Quick Reference Guide
Death Certificate Copies Checklist
Immediate Orders (At Registration):
- Simple estate: 6-8 copies
- Average estate: 8-12 copies
- Complex estate: 12-15 copies
- International assets: Add 3-5 more
Key Information:
- Cost: £11 each (England & Wales)
- Online postage: £1.50 per order
- Delivery: 4-5 working days
- Express: £35 each (next day)
Remember:
- Each organization usually keeps their copy
- Order extras as a buffer for unexpected needs
- Certified copies only - photocopies rarely accepted
- Keep one copy for your own records
- Can order more later but takes longer
Need More Help?
Get Your Free Death Admin Checklist
Getting the right number of death certificates is just the first step. Our comprehensive guide covers everything you need to do after someone dies.
- Complete list of who needs death certificate copies
- Template letters for banks and organizations
- Timeline showing when you need certificates
- Step-by-step death registration process
- International requirements guide
- What to do if you need more copies later
Get your free checklist
- What to do in the first 5 days after someone dies
- How to register a death in the UK
- Who to notify (banks, councils, utilities, and more)
- When you might need probate
- Optional tasks like redirecting mail or closing online accounts