HOW TO REGISTER A DEATH IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

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When a loved one passes away it can cause tremendous hurt and pain. It can be difficult to even think about the process involved in registering his or her death despite its necessity. Here is some important information you will need to register someone's death in T&T.

​Who can register a death?

Every death in Trinidad and Tobago must be registered. Under the Births and Death Registration Act Chapter 44:01, one of the following persons has a legal obligation to register a death:

• Any relative of the deceased who was present at the death or during the last illness of the deceased;
  
  
• Any relative living in the same district as the deceased;
  
  
• Any relative of the deceased having knowledge of any of the details concerning the death;
  
  
• An owner or occupier of the house in which, to his/her knowledge, the death took place;
  
  
• Any person present at the death or any person finding or taking charge of the body or
  
  
• The person causing the body to be buried or cremated.

Where do you register a death?

Deaths are registered by designated District Registrars located throughout Trinidad and Tobago. District Registrars are also located at the following public hospitals:

• Port of Spain General Hospital
• San Fernando General Hospital
• Mt. Hope Maternity Hospital and
• Sangre Grande County Hospital

Some contact information for these Hospital Registrars are listed here. You should register the death immediately at the District Registrar located nearest to where the death occurred. The District Registrar cannot register deaths that occur outside of Trinidad and Tobago. If a death occurs abroad, it must be registered according to the local regulations/policies of the country in which it occurs, and a certificate of death obtained there.

How to register a death?

To affect such registration properly, you will need to provide the following documents to the District Registrar:-
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• Medical cause of death certified from the attending doctor.
• Valid photo ID of informant.
• ID of deceased, if available.
• Birth certificate of deceased, if available.

There is no charge to register a death.

How to do a Late Registration of a Death (after one year of death).

Step 1: Make an appointment at the Ministry of the Attorney and Legal Affairs for the late registration of the death.

Step 2: Obtain approval from the Civil Registry for the late registration.
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If you are doing the registration after one (1) year of the death, you will be required to obtain approval for late registration by submitting the following documents to the Civil Registry on the day of your appointment:

• Medical cause of death certified from the attending doctor.
• ID of informant.
• Affidavit stating reason for delay in registration of death.
• Other documents depending on facts of the case.
  
  

Step 3: When approval is given, you will be sent to the relevant District Registrar to do the registration.
 
Where do I obtain the death certificate?

Certificates can be ordered online at the Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs website HERE.

Certificates can also be ordered at the Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs at the Registrar General’s Department located at:

• AGLA Tower, Government Campus Plaza, Corner of London & Richmond Streets, Port of Spain.
• #9 Leotaud Street, San Fernando.
• Pennywise Building, 2nd Floor #10-10A Devenish Street, Arima.
• Caroline Building No.2, #11 Hamilton Street, Scarborough, Tobago.

​Important Notice: This post does not constitute or provide legal advice. Always consult with a suitably qualified attorney-at-law on any legal problem or issue.

Law For All is managed by the AURORA Chambers Legal Practice.

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