What Is Tell Us Once?
Government & Benefits
What Is Tell Us Once?
When someone dies, there are often many organisations that need to be informed. Contacting each one separately can feel overwhelming during an already difficult time.
Tell Us Once is a free government service that allows you to report a death to several government departments at the same time, helping to reduce paperwork and save time.
What Does Tell Us Once Do?
The service securely shares information about the person who has died with relevant government organisations.
Depending on the circumstances, Tell Us Once may notify:
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
Pension Service
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
Passport Office
Local council services
Veterans UK (where applicable)
Using the service means you do not usually need to contact these organisations individually.
How Do I Access Tell Us Once?
You will normally be offered the Tell Us Once service when you register the death.
The registrar will either:
Complete the service with you during your appointment, or
Provide a unique reference number so you can use the service online or by telephone.
It is a good idea to keep a note of the reference number in case you need it later.
What Information Will I Need?
To use Tell Us Once, you may be asked to provide information such as:
The deceased person's National Insurance number
Date of birth
Driving licence number (if applicable)
Passport details (if applicable)
Details of any benefits or state pension they were receiving
Do not worry if you do not have every detail immediately available. The registrar can explain what information is required.
Is Tell Us Once Available Everywhere?
The service is available throughout England, Wales and Scotland.
Availability in Northern Ireland differs, and separate arrangements may apply.
The registrar will advise you on the options available in your area.
What Tell Us Once Does Not Cover
Although Tell Us Once can notify government departments, you will still need to contact other organisations separately.
These may include:
Banks and building societies
Mortgage providers
Utility companies
Insurance companies
Employers
Pension providers
Subscription services
Keeping a list of organisations that have been contacted can help you stay organised during the weeks following a bereavement.
A Helpful Step During a Difficult Time
Tell Us Once is designed to make the administrative side of bereavement a little easier by reducing the number of organisations you need to contact yourself.
When registering a death, remember to ask the registrar about the Tell Us Once service and make a note of any reference number provided.
If you are looking for a simple way to keep track of important contacts, documents and tasks after a bereavement, the First 30 Days After Loss organiser can help you keep everything together in one place.