How many death certificates do I need?
Checked against current GOV.UK probate and Inheritance Tax guidance for England & Wales (2026/27).
- Each certified copy costs £12.50 in England and Wales.2
- Most estates need 5–10 copies — banks, registrars and HM Land Registry each want one.1
- Order them when you register the death; later copies cost the same but slow things down.1
- Some organisations accept a certified photocopy or the online verification instead of an original.3
Most executors need somewhere between five and ten certified death certificates. At £12.50 each in England and Wales, they are far cheaper ordered when you register the death than requested one at a time later.1
Ordering enough death certificates at registration is one of the most practical things you can do as an executor. Each certified copy costs £12.50 in England and Wales (Source: GOV.UK. Last checked July 2026). Re-ordering later is possible but slower and adds delay when you need documents returned quickly. Most executors need between 6 and 10 copies. Some organisations may accept notification through Tell Us Once or the Death Notification Service, but others may still ask to see an original certified copy.
Who needs an original certified copy?
The table below shows which organisations need an original certified copy of the death certificate and which will accept alternatives.
| Organisation type | Original needed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bank or building society | Yes — one per institution | Some return it; others keep it |
| Mortgage lender | Yes | Notify promptly — mortgage payments continue |
| Life insurance / over-50s plan | Yes | Required before any claim can be assessed |
| HMRC (for IHT400) | Yes | Required for inheritance tax reporting |
| Pension provider | Yes — one per scheme | Employer and private pensions may each ask for one |
| Probate Registry (court) | Yes | Submitted with the probate application; the court keeps it |
| Share registrar / stockbroker | Yes — one per registrar | Each registrar (e.g. Computershare, Link) needs one |
| Council / local authority | No | Tell Us Once covers this |
| DVLA | No | Tell Us Once covers this |
| DWP | No | Tell Us Once covers this |
| Utility companies | Usually no | Some may ask for a copy; most accept notification without one |
| TV Licensing | No | Notification only required |
Banks are usually the biggest users of certificates. See what documents a bank needs to close an account after a death, including whether it will accept a scan.
How many should I order?
The standard advice is to order at least 5–10 copies at registration. Here is a worked example for a typical estate:
Example: estate with a house, 2 banks, 1 pension, 1 insurer
- · Probate Registry — 1 copy
- · Bank 1 — 1 copy
- · Bank 2 — 1 copy
- · Pension provider — 1 copy
- · Life insurer — 1 copy
- · HMRC (IHT) — 1 copy
- · Spare copies in case of returns or additional requests — 2
- Total8 copies
If the estate is larger — multiple banks, investments, share holdings, foreign assets — order more. Running short causes delays when organisations are waiting for documents to release funds.
The Probate Starter Pack's estate document vault has a line for how many certificates you have and where they are, and Bonus 3 has what to say when an organisation asks for the original: ask whether a certified copy or a scan will do, and for it back by tracked post.
Cost of ordering at registration vs later
Each certified copy costs £12.50 whether ordered at registration or later. However:
- At registration, copies are printed on the spot and you take them home that day.
- Re-ordering later requires an application to the General Register Office (GRO), which can take several weeks. During that time, estate administration can stall.
Order all the copies you need at registration. If you are unsure, order more than you think you need.
If you run out of death certificates
You can re-order certified copies of a death certificate from the General Register Office at any time. Go to gov.uk/order-copy-birth-death-marriage-certificate and select death certificate. The cost per copy is the same as at registration.
Frequently asked questions
How many death certificates should I order?
How much does a death certificate copy cost?
Can I order more death certificates later?
Do banks keep the death certificate or return it?
For the next steps once you have the certificates, see how to register a death and what to do when someone dies.
Sources & references
The figures and rules in this guide are drawn from the official UK government pages below. Each link opens the relevant GOV.UK page. Always confirm current figures on GOV.UK before you act, as fees and thresholds can change.
- Register a death — GOV.UK
- Order a copy of a birth, death or marriage certificate — GOV.UK
- Dealing with the estate of someone who's died — GOV.UK
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