Information on registering for a death

Register a Death


Every death in the Northwest Territories must be registered with the Registrar General of Vital Statistics.  Registration is necessary to establish the legality of the death.  Without registration, you cannot obtain a death certificate.


Who can register a death?

The funeral director completes the Registration of Death Statement with the assistance of the spouse, nearest relative, or a person who knew the deceased.

Process for registering a death

The physician or coroner:

  • completes the Medical Certificate of Death with respect to the deceased;
  • forwards the Medical Certificate of Death to the funeral director who has taken charge of the body of the deceased for disposition.

The funeral director:

  • completes the Registration of Death with the assistance of:
    • the nearest relative of the deceased present at the death or in attendance at the last illness of the deceased;
    • if there is no relative available as mentioned above, a relative of the deceased residing or being within the registration area;
    • if no relative is available, a person 18 years of age or more, present at the death;
    • by any other person having knowledge of the facts;
    • the occupier of the house in which the death occurred;
    • the coroner who has been notified of the death and has made an inquiry or held an inquest regarding the death;
  • delivers the Registration of Death and Medical Certificate of Death to a district or sub-registrar (municipal clerk) for registration or sends directly to Vital Statistics.

The district or sub-registrar:

  • registers the death by signing and dating the record;
  • issues a burial permit to the funeral director;
  • forwards the Registration of Death and Medical Certificate of Death to the Registrar General of Vital Statistics.

The Registrar General of Vital Statistics:

  • checks and verifies the information - any missing or incorrect information is followed up with the appropriate parties (i.e. funeral director, informant, physician, coroner);
  • permanently files the Registration of Death and Medical Certificate of Death.

Prerequisites

Every death that occurs in the NWT must be registered with the Government of the Northwest Territories in order to establish the legality of the death.

Forms

  • Death Registration Statement
    Available at funeral home or from the Registrar General of Vital Statistics, Health Services Administration Office.

Fees

  • There is no fee to register a death within one year from the date of death.
  • $22 for registering a death after one year from the date of death.

Contact this Service

Phone: 1-800-661-0830 (toll free)

Email: hsa@gov.nt.ca

Hours: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM (Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)

Sending the Completed Form…

The district, sub-registrar, or funeral director is responsible for sending the completed form to:

Registrar General of Vital Statistics
Health Services Administration Office
Bag #9
Inuvik, NT X0E 0T0

Note: If a death is not registered within one year after the date of death, anyone can apply to the Registrar General to register the death.

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