Death Registrations
When a death occurs in the Falkland Islands, it must be registered within 5 days if the person died in Stanley or 14 days elsewhere.
The hospital contacts the Registry, to confirm birth details if the person is born here, as well as to provide the Registrar with a doctor’s certificate. If the Registrar believes that more information needs to be provided she will pass it on to the Coroner for advice.
If all is in order, the hospital will hand a copy to a member of the family, so that they may come and register the death.
You will need to call the registry in order to book an appointment with the registrar to register the death. Though an appointment is necessary, we always try to be as accommodating as possible.
If the death is suddenly or in a violent or unnatural way the matter will be referred to the Coroner and the police. This may delay the registration process.
If the Coroner believes further investigation may be required then they will liaise with the hospital staff to obtain the necessary information. In this case the death will not be registered until the Coroner issues the Registrar with the information required.
The Registrar requires certain information to input into our registration records. Most of this information will be on the doctors certificate produced by the hospital. However, the Registrar requires further details as well as it being a requirement for a family member to sign and the Register.
Death certificates can take a few days to prepare so the Registrar will provide there and then a Certificate of Registration for you to produce at the Public Works Department as proof of registration of the death.
The death certificates will be prepared but there is no need for you to collect them until you are in a position to apply for probate or letters of administration through the Courts.
Furthermore, the Registrar will scan and send a copy to the Treasury, Tax Office and Pensions for their records.
The information provided in the register is an official entry, Certified True Copies of the death entry can only be provided from the Registry.
Who may register the death:
In the ordinance it is stated that the following person shall inform the Registrar General of the deaths:
The nearest relative present at the death or in attendance during the illness.
In default, any relative who has knowledge of any of the particulars required to be registered (Full name, birth date, age, cause of death, residence and occupation)
If any of the above stated cannot attend, the death may be registered by:
- any person present at the death
- the occupier of the house in which to his knowledge the death took place
- any person finding or taking charge of the body
- each inmate of the house
- the person causing the body to be buried