Registration of Births, Deaths, Marriages and Civil Partnerships

The General Register Office oversees the policy for registration of births, deaths, and marriages. However, a death must be certified before it can be registered and since 9 September 2024, all non-coronial deaths are independently scrutinised by a medical examiner who completes the medical certificate of cause of death, and which is then sent to the registrar. The Department has engaged extensively over several years with representatives of faith communities during implementation of the 2024 death certification reforms. The Department is monitoring the introduction of the reforms and listening to faith communities to inform policy and operational decision making and to encourage collaborative working. Officials continue to meet faith group representatives to understand their perspectives on death certification and registration and to identify any emerging issues.