Registering a Death

One of the first things that needs to be done after a funeral is the procurement of a death certificate. Any dealings with banks, insurance companies or government offices will depend on having a death certificate.

It is a legal requirement in Ireland that every death that takes place in the State must be recorded and registered. Records of deaths in Ireland are held in the General Register Office, which is the central civil repository for records relating to Births, Marriages and Deaths in Ireland. You can apply for a copy of a death certificate to any Registrar of Births, Marriages and Death or to the General Register Office.

A death can be registered with any Registrar, irrespective of where it occurs, the local Registrar is located in the Health Centre on the grounds of Nenagh Hospital. Deaths must be registered as soon as possible after the death and no later than three months. It is usually registered by the next of kin. Alternatively, it may be registered by a person who was present during the death or final illness of the deceased, or by a near neighbour or, failing that, by the undertaker.

There is no charge to register a death that occurs in Ireland. Fees are charged at €20 per copy of a death certificate.

A certificate is issued for social welfare purposes at a reduced cost. Evidence it is for social welfare purposes is required, such as a note from the Department of Social Protection.

For full details of registering a death and also the fees charged for a copy of a death certificate please view the link to the Citizens Information website below.