Tell Us Once Service: Simplifying Notifications After Bereavement

When it comes to conducting the administrative tasks following the loss of a loved one, the whole process can be overwhelming. The UK Government’s ‘Tell Us Once’ service aims to ease this burden by allowing you to inform multiple government departments of a death through a simple online portal.

What is The Tell Us Once Service?

‘Tell Us Once’ is a free service provided by local governments that allows you to report a death to most government organisations simultaneously. This means you don’t have to contact each department individually, saving time and reducing stress during a difficult period.

You can find information on the Tell Us Once service for Wirral Council here. 

Who Can Use This Service?

Anyone can use the ‘Tell Us Once’ if the person who died was living in England, Scotland, or Wales. The service is not available in Northern Ireland. If the death occurred abroad, you could still use the service if the deceased was usually resident in the UK.

How Does Tell Us Once Work?

1. Register the Death: When you register the death with the registrar, they will inform you about the ‘Tell Us Once’ service. If you can’t register a death due to an ongoing inquest, you can still ask the registrar for a unique reference number by getting an interim death certificate from the coroner in charge of the inquest. 
2. Receive a Unique Reference Number: The registrar will provide you with a unique reference number to access the service online or by phone. 
3. Provide Necessary Information: Using the reference number, you can log in to the service and provide details about the deceased, such as:
   • Name, date of birth, and address
   • National Insurance number
   • Driving licence number
   • Passport number
   • Details of any benefits or services they were receiving
4. Inform Relevant Departments: Once submitted, the service will notify various government departments on your behalf.

While you don’t have to create an account, it’s recommended as you can track your progress and add information, like a death certificate, at a later date. 

Which Organisations Are Notified?

The ‘Tell Us Once’ service will attempt to inform several departments, including:

• Department for Work and Pensions (DWP): To cancel benefits like State Pension or Universal Credit.
• HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC): To deal with personal tax matters and estate management.
• Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA): To cancel driving licences and vehicle tax.
• HM Passport Office: To cancel passports to mitigate the risk of fraud.
• Local Council Services: Including electoral register, council tax, and housing benefits.

You should be aware that some organisations, such as banks, utility companies, and private pension providers, won’t fall under this service. You will need to contact financial institutions to notify them when someone dies separately. 

Benefits of Using the ‘Tell Us Once’ Service

• Saves time by notifying multiple departments in one go.
• Reduces stress by simplifying the process of notification during the bereavement period.
• Helps prevent fraud by ensuring that official records are updated efficiently.
• Makes the process simple and accessible through one portal.
  

For more information on the ‘Tell Us Once’ service, please visit the official GOV.UK page.