General information for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Rules can vary between nations and individual circumstances. This article does not replace legal or financial advice.
Who do you need to notify when someone dies? The short answer
After a death is registered, most families in England, Scotland and Wales can report it to several government departments at once through a free service called Tell Us Once. It covers a lot — but not everything. Banks, private pensions, insurers and utility companies still need to hear from you directly, and Tell Us Once isn't available in Northern Ireland at all. This guide sets out exactly what Tell Us Once does, and who you'll still need to contact yourself.
Key points
- Tell Us Once is a free service that reports a death to most government organisations in one go.
- It's available if the person who died was living in England, Scotland or Wales — not Northern Ireland.
- You access it through the registrar when you register the death, either there and then or with a reference number to use later online or by phone.
- It does not cover banks, mortgage providers, insurers, utility companies, landlords, or personal/workplace pensions (unless they're a public sector scheme) — these need contacting separately.
What is Tell Us Once?
Tell Us Once is a free government service that lets you report a death to most government departments and council services in one go, rather than contacting each one individually. A registrar will explain the service when you register the death, and will either:
- complete it with you there and then, or
- give you a unique reference number so you can use it yourself afterwards, online or by phone.
It's available if the person who died was living in England, Scotland or Wales. It isn't available in Northern Ireland, where you'll need to notify each organisation separately — nidirect has guidance on this.
What Tell Us Once covers
Depending on the person's circumstances, Tell Us Once can notify:
- HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) — for tax and National Insurance
- Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) — for state pension and benefits
- HM Passport Office — to cancel a passport
- DVLA — for a driving licence, and to remove the person as registered keeper of a vehicle
- Your local council — for council tax, the electoral register, Blue Badge, library services and housing benefit
- Veterans UK, where relevant
- Social Security Scotland, for Scottish benefits
- Public sector pension schemes, including the NHS Pension Scheme, Civil Service Pension Scheme, Armed Forces Pension Scheme and Local Government Pension Scheme
Because coverage depends on the person's circumstances, it's worth checking with the registrar exactly which of these will apply.
Who you'll still need to contact yourself
Tell Us Once is a government service, so it doesn't extend to private companies or personal financial arrangements. You (or the executor) will usually need to contact these directly:
Financial
- Banks and building societies
- Mortgage providers
- Insurance providers (life, home, car)
- Personal or workplace pensions that aren't a public sector scheme
- Credit card companies and any lenders
Home and utilities
- Energy and water suppliers
- Telephone, broadband and TV/streaming providers
- Landlords or housing associations
- Home and contents insurers
Personal and everyday
- The person's employer, if they were working
- Their GP surgery and dentist
- Clubs, memberships and subscriptions
- Social media and other online accounts
For the wider picture of what happens before and after this stage — from confirming the death through to probate — see our first steps checklist for what to do when someone dies.
Notifying children and the wider family
Official notifications are only part of the picture. If there are children in the family, they'll usually need to be told in person, in words suited to their age and understanding, well before or separately from any administrative process. We've written a dedicated guide on how to tell a child that someone has died, including example phrases and how to answer the questions children often ask.
A guide to keep everything in one place
Because the list of organisations to contact can feel long and easy to lose track of, many families find it helpful to work from a single written checklist rather than relying on memory. Our UK After-Death Checklist sets out exactly who to notify and in what order, alongside the wider administrative steps that follow a death.
Frequently asked questions
Is Tell Us Once free?
Yes. There's no charge to use it, and no obligation to do so — you can always contact departments individually instead.
What if I've already registered the death and didn't use Tell Us Once?
If the registrar gave you a reference number, you can normally still use it afterwards, online or by phone. Contact the registrar or the Tell Us Once helpline if you're unsure whether yours is still valid.
Does Tell Us Once notify the deceased's bank?
No. Banks and building societies aren't part of the Tell Us Once service and need to be contacted directly, usually with a copy of the death certificate.
Why isn't Tell Us Once available in Northern Ireland?
It's a service run for England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland has its own registration process, and nidirect provides separate guidance on who to notify there.
What information will I need to use the service?
You'll usually need the reference number given by the registrar, along with some personal details about the person who died, such as their National Insurance number, driving licence and passport details if applicable.
Sources
- GOV.UK — Tell Us Once
- GOV.UK — What to do after a death
- nidirect — Registering a death with the district registrar
Last reviewed: September 2026. This article provides general information only and isn't a substitute for legal or financial advice. Rules can change and can vary by nation and personal circumstances — always check current guidance on GOV.UK.