Tell Us Once: how to report a death to all government services at once

When someone close dies, the law requires many government services to be told — and doing it one by one is slow and hard. The free Tell Us Once service solves this: you report the death once, and it notifies most government departments for you.

Who does it cover?

Tell Us Once passes the details to HMRC, the DWP, the Passport Office, the DVLA, your local council, Veterans UK, Social Security Scotland and some public-sector pension schemes. It spares the family from contacting each one separately.

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How do you use it?

First the death must be registered (or reported to a coroner with an interim or final certificate). When you register, the registrar explains the service: they either complete Tell Us Once with you or give you a unique reference number to do it yourself — online or by phone on the number they provide.

What is the time limit, and what to prepare?

You must use the service within 28 days of getting your reference number. Have to hand: the reference number, the deceased's surname and date of death, details of the executor or administrator, and information about any spouse or civil partner and next of kin.

What to remember

The service is available if the person lived in England, Scotland or Wales (including if they died temporarily abroad); it cannot be used for Northern Ireland or someone who lived permanently abroad. Tell Us Once notifies government bodies only — banks, insurers, utilities and private pension providers must be told separately. If you do not use it, you must contact every organisation yourself. Always check the current details on GOV.UK.