If a British citizen dies abroad, local procedures should be followed and a death certificate obtained from the relevant authorities in the country concerned. The General Register Office (GRO) in the UK is not automatically notified or sent a copy of the certificate.
It is also possible to register the death with the local British authorities overseas. Contact the nearest British consulate. The benefit of doing this is that a record of the death will be sent to the GRO within 12 months. This means that further death certificates can be provided by the GRO to the family in the UK.
Below is a list of the countries where it is not possible to register with the British authorities because death certificates from these countries are accepted in the UK for probate and other purposes.
Registering an overseas death
Ascension Island
Australia
Nevis
St. Helena
South Africa
Turks and Cacos Islands
Virgin Island (UK)
Zimbabwe
Canada
Cayman Islands
Christmas Island
Falkland Islands
Gibraltar
If you would like to register an overseas death (in a country not named in the above list) 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
http://www.fco.gov.uk/
Registering with the local British authorities overseas or after return to the UK is not mandatory.
Many people choose to get authorised translations of the foreign death certificates and this may allow legal processes to begin rather earlier. Please call us for further information on this.
The two processes are not mutually exclusive and you may choose to obtain a translated death certificate while waiting for one to be issued from the General Register Office.
Many people choose to get authorised translations of the foreign death certificates and this may allow legal processes to begin rather earlier. Please call us for further information on this.
The two processes are not mutually exclusive and you may choose to obtain a translated death certificate while waiting for one to be issued from the General Register Office.
Page Last Updated : 09/06/08