Reporting a death using the Tell Us Once service

Reporting a Death Using the Tell Us Once Service

The Tell Us Once service is a government initiative designed to help streamline the process of reporting a death to various government departments. This service is available to residents of the United Kingdom and aims to reduce the burden on grieving families by ensuring that multiple government agencies are informed of the deceased's passing with a single notification.

How to Use the Tell Us Once Service

Once a death has been registered, you will be given a unique reference number that allows you access to the Tell Us Once service. You can use this service either online or by telephone. When using the service, you will need to provide various pieces of information, including the deceased’s personal details, next of kin, and any surviving spouse or civil partner's details.

Information to Provide

To successfully report a death using the Tell Us Once service, you will need to gather and provide the following information:

• The deceased's National Insurance number.
• Details of any benefits or entitlements they were receiving, such as pensions or disability allowances.
• Driver’s licence if they had one.
• Passport details if applicable.
• Information about any local council services they were receiving, such as housing benefits or council tax reductions.
• Their Blue Badge if they held one.
• Details of any current driving vehicle tax payments.

Departments Informed Through Tell Us Once

The Tell Us Once service will notify the following departments and organizations on your behalf:

• HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to deal with tax and benefits.
• Passport Office to cancel their passport.
• Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) to cancel their driving licence.
• The local council to update services such as council tax or benefits.
• Public sector or armed forces pension schemes.

Assistance and Support

Using the Tell Us Once service helps ensure that all relevant parties are notified of the death without requiring multiple calls or appointments, which can be particularly helpful during a difficult time. If you need any assistance or support while using the service, the local registrars can provide guidance. Additionally, further information can be found on the UK government’s official website.

By making use of the Tell Us Once service, you can simplify the administrative process of reporting a death, allowing you to focus on supporting your family and dealing with personal matters.