Order enough death certificates
Buy several certified copies while you are at the register office.
Banks, insurers and the Land Registry each want an original. Ordering later costs more and takes weeks.
- How long it takes
- Same appointment
- Typical cost
- £12.50 per copy
- What you need before you start
- Card payment
Most families need between 4 and 10. Count the banks, pensions, insurers, investments and any property.
Photocopies are not accepted by most organisations, though some banks will now certify and return an original in branch.
Keep one copy back for your own records and do not post your last one.
General information, not legal advice. Last reviewed 19 August 2026 by Simon D Campbell. Applies to England and Wales.