Tell Us Once Service: Complete Guide 2025
The Tell Us Once service lets you report a death to most government organisations in one go. This comprehensive guide explains everything you need to know about using this free service.
- Report a death to multiple government departments with one notification
- Completely free service available online or by phone
- Saves hours of phone calls and paperwork
- Available 24/7 online, with phone support during office hours
- Secure and confidential - information protected by law
Contents
What is Tell Us Once?
Key Information
Tell Us Once is a free government service that lets you report a death to multiple government departments and councils with a single notification, saving you from making numerous phone calls and sending letters during a difficult time.
When someone dies, there are many organisations that need to be informed. The Tell Us Once service simplifies this process by allowing you to provide information once, which is then shared with relevant government departments and your local council.
Key Features
- Completely free - No charges for using the service
- Available 24/7 online - Complete at your own pace
- Phone support available - Help when you need it
- Secure and confidential - Information protected by law
Available in Most Areas
Tell Us Once is available in most areas of England, Wales, and Scotland. It's offered by most local councils, though a few areas don't yet participate. You'll be given access information when you register the death.
How Tell Us Once Works
The Process Overview
- 1
Register the death
The registrar gives you a unique reference number
- 2
Access Tell Us Once
Use the reference number online or by phone
- 3
Provide information
Enter details about the person who died
- 4
Automatic notification
Relevant departments are notified immediately
Time Limits
Important: You must use Tell Us Once within 28 days of registering the death. Your unique reference number expires after this period.
What Happens to Benefits?
When you use Tell Us Once, any benefits or entitlements the person was receiving will be cancelled or adjusted. This includes:
- State Pension payments will stop
- Benefits like Universal Credit or Housing Benefit will end
- Blue Badge will be cancelled
- Council Tax single person discount may be reviewed
If the deceased was claiming benefits jointly with someone else, Tell Us Once will notify the relevant departments so they can contact the surviving person about continuing claims.
Who Gets Notified
✓ Notified by Tell Us Once
- • HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
- • Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
- • Passport Office
- • DVLA (driving licence & vehicle registration)
- • Local council services
- • Veterans UK (for war pension schemes)
- • Public sector pension schemes
- • Housing Benefit office
- • Council Tax office
- • Blue Badge scheme
- • Electoral services
- • Library services
✗ Not Covered - Notify Separately
- • Banks and building societies
- • Private pension providers
- • Insurance companies
- • Mortgage providers
- • Utility companies
- • Phone and internet providers
- • Credit card companies
- • Employers
- • Social media accounts
- • Subscription services
- • GP surgery
- • Dentist
Remember
While Tell Us Once covers many government services, you'll still need to contact private companies and some other organisations separately. Keep a checklist to ensure nothing is missed.
What You'll Need
Before You Start
Gather all the necessary documents and information before beginning. The online service times out after 20 minutes of inactivity.
Essential Documents
Tell Us Once reference number
Given by the registrar when you register the death
Death certificate
You'll need the certificate number
Information About the Person Who Died
- Full name (including any previous names)
- Date of birth
- Address
- National Insurance number
- NHS number (if known)
- Driving licence number (if applicable)
- Passport number (if applicable)
- Blue Badge number (if applicable)
Details of Benefits or Entitlements
If the person was receiving any benefits or pensions, have details ready:
- State Pension
- Benefits reference numbers
- Public service pension details
- Armed forces pension information
Next of Kin Information
You may also need:
- Name and contact details of surviving spouse or civil partner
- Details of anyone who was receiving joint benefits with the deceased
- Your own contact information as the person completing the notification
How to Access the Service
💻 Online Service
Available 24/7 at your convenience
- • Visit www.gov.uk/tell-us-once
- • Enter your unique reference number
- • Complete at your own pace
- • Save and return if needed
Best for: Those comfortable with online forms who want to complete it in their own time
Phone Service
Speak to an advisor for help
- • Call 0800 085 7308
- • Monday to Friday: 8am - 6pm
- • Saturday: 9am - 4pm
- • Advisor completes form with you
Best for: Those who prefer speaking to someone or need assistance
Face-to-Face Support
Some registrars offer to complete Tell Us Once with you immediately after registering the death. This service availability varies by area.
If you need face-to-face help later, some councils offer appointments at their offices. Contact your local council to check availability.
Step-by-Step Process
Step 1: Start the Service
- Go to www.gov.uk/tell-us-once or call the helpline
- Have your unique reference number ready
- Enter the reference number when prompted
- Confirm the name of the person who died
Step 2: Provide Personal Details
- Enter the deceased's date of birth
- Confirm their address
- Add any previous names or aliases
- Provide National Insurance number
Step 3: Add Document Numbers
- Driving licence number (if applicable)
- Passport number (if applicable)
- Blue Badge number (if applicable)
- NHS number (if known)
Don't worry if you don't have all of these - provide what you can
Step 4: Benefits and Pensions
- Indicate which benefits they were receiving
- Provide any benefit reference numbers
- Add public service pension details
- Include armed forces pension information if relevant
Step 5: Next of Kin Details
- Name of surviving spouse or civil partner
- Their date of birth and National Insurance number
- Contact details for benefit adjustments
- Your details as the person notifying
Step 6: Review and Submit
- Check all information is correct
- Make any necessary corrections
- Submit the notification
- Save or print the confirmation for your records
Completion Time
The whole process typically takes 20-30 minutes if you have all the information ready.
After Using Tell Us Once
What Happens Next?
Immediate Actions
- You'll receive a confirmation reference number
- Departments are notified within 5 working days
- Benefits and services begin to be cancelled or transferred
- Relevant departments may contact you directly if needed
Follow-up Communications
After using Tell Us Once, you may receive:
From DWP
Letters about benefit changes, final payments, or overpayments to be recovered
From HMRC
Tax calculation for the year of death, possible refund information
From Local Council
Council Tax adjustments, changes to single person discount
From DVLA
Information about transferring vehicle ownership or getting a refund on vehicle tax
Keep Your Confirmation
Important
Keep your Tell Us Once confirmation reference safe. You may need it as proof that you've notified government departments, especially if there are any queries about benefits or tax.
Common Issues & Solutions
Reference Number Not Working
If your reference number isn't accepted:
- Check you're entering it exactly as given (including any dashes)
- Ensure you're using it within 28 days of registration
- Contact the registrar's office if problems persist
Missing Information
If you don't have all the required information:
- You can still complete Tell Us Once with partial information
- Provide what you have and note what's missing
- Contact relevant departments separately with updates
Service Times Out
The online service times out after 20 minutes of inactivity:
- Save your progress regularly if taking breaks
- Have all information ready before starting
- Consider using the phone service if you need more time
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Tell Us Once if the death happened abroad?
Yes, but only after you've registered the death with the UK authorities. You'll need to register the death at the Register Office for Births, Deaths and Marriages if the person was normally resident in England or Wales.
What if I make a mistake?
If you realise you've made an error after submitting, contact the Tell Us Once helpline on 0800 085 7308. They can advise on corrections. For significant errors, you may need to contact individual departments directly.
Can someone else complete it on my behalf?
Yes, anyone with the unique reference number and required information can complete Tell Us Once. This could be a family member, friend, or professional advisor like a solicitor.
What if the person wasn't receiving any benefits?
You should still use Tell Us Once. It will cancel their driving licence, passport, and Blue Badge if applicable, and ensure they're removed from mailing lists and electoral registers.
Is my information secure?
Yes, Tell Us Once uses secure government systems. Information is encrypted and only shared with authorised government departments and your local council. It's never shared with third parties or used for marketing.
Do I still need to return the passport and driving licence?
No, Tell Us Once notifies DVLA and the Passport Office. You can keep these documents as keepsakes if you wish, or destroy them securely. They will be cancelled in the system.
Need More Help?
Tell Us Once simplifies notifying government departments, but it's just one part of managing death admin. For comprehensive support with all aspects of bereavement administration, Farra can guide you through the entire process.