When someone dies overseas

When a death occurs in another country, it is important to follow that country's registration process in order to obtain a death certificate.

The General Register Office (GRO) in the UK is not automatically notified or sent a copy of the certificate. It may be possible to register the death with the local British authorities, which means that a record of the death will be sent to the GRO within 12 months, enabling further death certificates to be provided to the family in the UK.

The nearest British consulate will let you know if this is possible.

Death certificates from the following countries are accepted in the UK for probate and other purposes (meaning it isn't possible to register with the British authorities):

  • Ascension Island
  • Australia
  • Canada
  • Cayman Islands
  • Christmas Island
  • Falkland Islands
  • Gibraltar
  • Nevis
  • St. Helena
  • South Africa
  • Turks and Cacos Islands
  • Virgin Island (UK)
  • Zimbabwe

If you would like to register an overseas death with British authorities after a return to the UK, please contact:

Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Consular Division
King Charles Street
London
SW1A 2AH
+44 (0) 20 7 008 0186
www.fco.gov.uk/

Many people choose to get authorised translations of the foreign death certificates and this may allow legal processes to begin rather earlier. You may choose to do this while still waiting for a certificate to be issued from the General Register Office.

For more information, please call us on 0800 195 2924.

Arranging an overseas funeral

If you would prefer to return the deceased to the UK, funeral directors will be able to advise you on the costs and the practicalities, such as notifying coroner.
© ITC