In many cases, bereaved families contact central and local government multiple times following their bereavement. Tell Us Once is a service that allows you to tell multiple government agencies about a death all at the same time. The service is offered free of charge.

How does Tell Us Once work?

When you register a death, the registrar will explain Tell Us Once and give you a unique reference number so you can use the service yourself online.

View information on how to register a death

Visit the GOV.UK website to find out about Tell Us Once and the documents you'll require

These will include, for example, the deceased's passport, driving licence, National Insurance number, benefit statement or tax reference.

What if I can't find the documents listed above, or that they are out of date?

Please don’t worry, you will still be able to tick a box to say you know there is documentation, for example a passport or driving licence, but that you don’t currently have it. If they are out of date, please do still input the details

Who does Tell Us Once notify about the death?

  • HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) - to deal with tax and cancel benefits.
  • The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) - to cancel benefits, e.g. Income Support.
  • The Passport Office - to cancel a passport.
  • The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) - to cancel a driving licence.
  • Your local council - to cancel Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit, a Blue Badge, library cards, inform council Housing Services and remove the deceased from the electoral register.
  • Public sector or armed forces pension schemes - to stop pension paymentHow will I know who has been told?

You will be able to print a list (if you've used the online service) or will be sent a letter (if you've used the telephone service) that details your reference number and which organisations have been notified on your behalf, together with contact details in case of any query. Those organisations may contact you separately to confirm that the relevant processing has been completed.

How is the information given to Tell Us Once treated?

All of your information is treated securely. The organisations that receive your information will use it to update their records, but only as the law allows.

I used the Tell Us Once service but have not heard from all of the organisations who were notified. What should I do?

Tell Us Once will notify all parties of the bereavement, provided you have given the necessary consent. Organisations will not always make contact.

What if I'm unsure if my loved one used some of these services?

This will mainly apply to local council services, for example Blue Badge or Library Cards. If in doubt, please try and tick these boxes. We will then be able to make enquiries on your behalf, to cancel the necessary services, if they exist.