Tell Us Once

Tell us Once allows you to inform a range of council and central government services about a birth or death with just one contact. This free service offers a solution to the frustration at having to individually notify numerous government organisations at what can often be a very difficult time.

• About this service
• Who can use it?
• How do I use it?
• What happens next?
• What is covered?
• How long does it take?
• How much does it cost?
• Where is it?
• When is it open?

About this service

Somerset's Registration Service provide a free, simple and sensitive service which can securely pass information about a birth or a death directly onto a range of public sector organisations.

Who can use it?

Using Tell us Once when registering a death: The next of kin, the person dealing with the deceased's estate or a person with the permission from these people can use this service.

Using Tell us Once when registering a birth: To use this service you should be either the child's parent (as stated on the birth certificate), or have permission from the child's parent.

How do I use it?

Using Tell us Once When Registering a Death: After someone has died, one of the first things that must be done is to legally register the death with the Council's Registration Service.

When you have your appointment to register the death with the Registrar, we ask you bring the following information about the deceased:
 - Date of birth
 - National insurance number
 - Details of any government benefits or council services they were receiving.
 - Their driving licence or driving licence number (if they held one)
 - Their passport (if they had one)

We may also ask for information about the next of kin and the person dealing with the deceased's estate. You must get the agreement of these people if you are going to provide us with information about them.

Further information about this service can be found in the Tell Us Once Information Sheet or on the Register a death webpage.


Using Tell us Once When Registering a Birth: After the birth of a child one of the first things that needs to be done is for the child's birth to be legally registered with the Council's Registration Service.

When you have your appointment to register the death with the Registrar, we ask you bring the following information:
 - National Insurance number(s) for the parent(s) named on the birth register.
 - Date of birth, address and telephone number for the parent(s) named on the birth register.
 - A completed claim form for Child Benefit (if you are making a claim)
 - Details of benefits that the parent(s) named on the birth certificate are receiving/or have applied for. 

If the child's parent is living with a partner who is not named on the birth certificate then please also bring details about this person (i.e. national insurance number and details about benefits they recieve).

For further informaiton please refer to the registering a birth webpage.

What happens next?

All of the organisations that we contact will use the information to update their records within 15 days. We treat all your information securely, sensitively and in accordance with the law. 

What is covered?

As part of the Tell Us Once service we are able to securely pass information onto a range of partner organisations, including:

Council Services:
- Council Tax Payments
- Council Tax Benefits
- Council Housing
- Housing Benefits Libraries
- Blue Badges
- Adult Social Care
- Children's Services
- Collection of payments for Council Services
- Electoral services

Identity and Passport Service:
- Passport Cancellation.

Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency:
- Driving Licence Cancellation.

Department for Work and Pensions:
- Pension, Disability and Carers Service
- Jobcentre Plus
- Overseas Health Team

Ministry of Defence, Service Personnel and Veterans Agency:
- War Pensions Scheme

HM Revenue and Customs:
- Child Benefit
- Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit
- Personal Taxation

If you are registering a death and the deceased person lived outside of Somerset we will advise you at your appointment if we are able to provide information to their local council.

How long does it take?

How much does it cost?

Where is it?

This service is available at all Registration Offices across Somerset. We will offer this service to you when you make your appointment with the registrar.  Please see the Contacts tab for details of your nearest Register Office.

When is it open?