What organisations must you notify after someone dies?

You must notify banks, HMRC, DWP, utilities, council tax, DVLA, the Passport Office, the GP, insurance companies, and the electoral roll. Many can be notified through Tell Us Once during death registration.

How many copies of the death certificate do you need?

You typically need 5 to 10 certified copies of the death certificate. Each organisation may require an original or certified copy. Order extras when registering the death, as ordering later is more expensive.

What is Tell Us Once?

Tell Us Once is a government service that notifies HMRC, DWP, and the DVLA at once during death registration. It saves time but you must still notify banks, utilities, and other private organisations separately.

When must you notify organisations after a death?

Notify organisations as soon as possible, ideally within a few weeks of the death. Most have specific timescales (often 30 days). Prompt notification prevents overpayments, ongoing charges, and identity fraud.

How to notify companies when someone dies

After someone dies, you need to inform various organisations so accounts can be managed and benefits stopped. This guide covers the main organisations and what you will need to provide.

Why you need to notify organisations

Notifying organisations promptly prevents problems such as ongoing charges, overpayment of benefits, or identity fraud. Most organisations require notification within a set timeframe, typically a few weeks.

You will usually need to provide the death certificate. Start by getting several certified copies from the register office.

Banks and building societies

Notify the bank or building society as soon as possible. Most require you to present or post the death certificate along with a completed form.

The bank will freeze sole accounts (accounts in the deceased's name only). Joint accounts may pass to the surviving owner. Money may only be released once probate is obtained or (for small amounts) through simplified procedures.

Ask the bank for their notification form. Many now offer online notification, which can be quicker.

HMRC (Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs)

Notify HMRC as soon as possible. You can do this online through their Tell Us Once service (available during the registration process) or by contacting HMRC directly.

HMRC will close the tax account and arrange for any refund due on the final tax return. If the deceased was self-employed, their business records will need to be submitted and a final tax return filed.

For self-employed estates, a solicitor or accountant can help manage the final accounts and tax return. For straightforward cases, HMRC's guidance at gov.uk may be sufficient.

DWP (Department of Work and Pensions) and pensions

If the deceased was receiving any state benefits (pension, disability allowance, housing benefit, or others), notify DWP. This stops overpayment and may trigger bereavement support payments.

Contact the office that paid the benefit. You will need to provide the death certificate and the person's National Insurance number or benefit reference.

Occupational or private pension providers must also be notified. Contact the pension provider directly with the death certificate.

Utilities and suppliers

Notify the water company, gas supplier, electricity supplier, internet provider, and any other utilities as soon as possible.

Provide the account number and death certificate. Ask whether the standing charges will continue until the account is formally closed and what the expected final bill will be.

If there is a deposit (for example, in rental properties), ask about how it will be refunded.

Council tax

Notify the local council's council tax office. The account will be closed and a final bill issued (or credit if overpaid).

If the property is still owned by the estate (waiting for probate or distribution to beneficiaries), ask about exemptions for unoccupied properties.

Include the account number and property address with notification.

DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency)

If the deceased held a driving licence, notify DVLA by post or online. Return the licence with the death certificate.

If the deceased owned a vehicle, the registered keeper must be updated. This is typically done when the vehicle is sold or the ownership is transferred.

Passport Office

Return the deceased's passport to the Passport Office with a letter explaining that the holder has died. Include the death certificate.

This is important to prevent identity fraud.

GP and NHS

Notify the deceased's GP immediately. The GP will remove them from the practice list and update NHS records.

If the deceased was a registered organ or blood donor, the GP can advise on any outstanding donations or arrangements.

Insurance companies

Notify any insurance companies (car, home, pet, or life insurance) with the death certificate and policy details.

If the deceased held life insurance, this may pay out to the named beneficiary or the estate. Claim promptly to avoid delays.

Electoral roll

Notify the local council to remove the deceased from the electoral register. This prevents their name being used fraudulently in elections.

Contact your local electoral office with the death certificate.

Subscriptions and memberships

Cancel any subscriptions (magazines, streaming services, gym memberships, professional organisations) to stop ongoing charges.

Contact each company directly. Most will cancel online or by phone with proof of death.

Tell Us Once service

The government's Tell Us Once service allows you to notify multiple organisations at once during the death registration process. This can save time and effort.

Tell Us Once notifies a range of government departments and agencies including HMRC, DWP, the DVLA, and your local council. Check gov.uk for the full list of organisations notified. You will still need to notify banks, utilities, and private organisations separately.

Ask the register office about Tell Us Once when registering the death.

What documents you will need

For most notifications, you will need:

The death certificate (get several certified copies).
Account numbers or policy references for each organisation.
The deceased's full name and date of birth.
Your name, address, and contact details.
Proof of your authority to act (a copy of the will, if you are the executor).

If an organisation refuses to cooperate

If an organisation will not close an account or release information without probate, you may need to wait until probate is granted. This is their standard procedure and usually cannot be changed.

Keep records of your notification attempts. If an organisation continues to charge after notification, contact them in writing and, if necessary, escalate to their complaints department.