When someone dies, lots of organisations need to know. Tell Us Once is a free government service that lets you report a death to most government departments and your local council in one go, instead of contacting each one separately.
Who Tell Us Once tells
- HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), for tax
- the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), for benefits and the State Pension
- HM Passport Office
- the DVLA, for driving licences
- the local council, for things like Council Tax, Housing Benefit, the electoral register and Blue Badges
- Veterans UK
- Social Security Scotland
- some public sector pension schemes: the Armed Forces, Civil Service, Local Government Pension Scheme, NHS Pensions, the Pension Protection Fund and the Scottish Public Pensions Agency
How to use it
Register the death
The registrar will explain Tell Us Once. See how to register a death.
Either do it there and then, or take a reference number
The registrar will either complete Tell Us Once with you, or give you a unique reference number so you can do it yourself online or by phone.
Use it within 28 days
The reference number only lasts 28 days.
Have the details ready
For example the person's National Insurance number, passport, driving licence and any benefits they received. See gather together all the paperwork.
Who you still need to contact yourself
Tell Us Once doesn't cover everything. You'll still need to tell:
- banks and building societies
- mortgage and insurance providers
- utility companies: gas, electricity, water, phone and broadband
- the landlord or housing association, if the person rented their home
- personal and workplace pension schemes (other than the public sector schemes above)
- employers
- the GP, dentist and optician
- subscriptions and memberships
Keep a list as you go, and ask each organisation whether they need to see a death certificate.
Stopping post
To reduce advertising post addressed to the person, see our page on the Deceased Preference Service.
Benefits
If the person got benefits, the DWP Bereavement Service (0800 151 2012) can also check whether you can claim bereavement benefits or a Funeral Expenses Payment. See paying for a funeral.
Northern Ireland
Tell Us Once is not available in Northern Ireland, or for people who lived permanently abroad. In Northern Ireland, you'll need to contact each organisation yourself. nidirect.gov.uk has guidance on who to tell.
Sources, checked 11 September 2026
- GOV.UK, Organisations you need to contact and Tell Us Once: gov.uk/after-a-death/organisations-you-need-to-contact-and-tell-us-once
- Citizens Advice, What to do after a death (DWP Bereavement Service 0800 151 2012)
See also When someone dies in Scotland.
Common questions
Is Tell Us Once free?
Yes.
How long do I have to use it?
28 days from the day you get the reference number.
Does Tell Us Once tell the bank?
No. You need to contact banks, building societies, insurers and utility companies yourself.
Can I use Tell Us Once in Scotland?
Yes. It's available in England, Scotland and Wales.
Can I use it in Northern Ireland?
No. In Northern Ireland you contact each organisation yourself.