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Disclosure of Death Registration Information

Introduction

Disclosure of Death Registration Information (DDRI)

Under the Police and Justice Act 2006 and the Local Electoral Administration and Registration Services (Scotland) Act 2006, the Registrars General for England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland can disclose death registration information to assist in the prevention, detection, investigation or prosecution of offences.

Following a public consultation, the DDRI scheme was launched on 16 January 2008. Information about the consultation and other milestones leading to the establishment of the scheme can be found on the Background page.

The DDRI scheme is administered, on behalf of the three Registrars General, by the Data Delivery team in the General Register Office (England & Wales).

Organisations wishing to apply for a weekly supply of UK death registration data must be able to demonstrate that they will only use the information in the prevention, detection, investigation or prosecution of offences. In addition, they will need to meet the required security standards. Details of how organisations meet these criteria can be found on the Eligibility page. A description of the Application Process and a copy of the Application Form can be found on the Application Process page.

For answers to any questions you have on the DDRI scheme please see Frequently Asked Questions.

If you have any further questions please contact the GRO Data Delivery team.

Please note that the DDRI scheme only provides for the supply of death registration data for the UK as a whole. Requests for data specific to England, Wales or Northern Ireland cannot be met at present. Requests for data specific to Scotland may be able to be met under different legislative provisions, and should be directed to GRO Scotland (see contact details below).

Licensed DDRI customers receive a weekly electronic file, on CD, of new deaths registered within the UK.

The service is currently being reviewed and a report will be published in May 2009. As part of the review the Registrars General are considering alternative delivery methods, and the possible provision of historic information and more bespoke data files.

The provision of historic information is dependent on the progress of the project to digitise death records for England and Wales. Information on the status of this project can be found on the Digitisation Project page.

Contacts for more information
• England and Wales: datagro@ons.gsi.gov.uk
• Scotland: gros.ddrischeme@gro-scotland.gsi.gov.uk
• Northern Ireland: civilreg.nisra@dfpni.gov.uk