‘Tell Us Once’ Service Explained: What You Need to Know

Losing a loved one and arranging their funeral can be one of life’s most difficult experiences, and having to deal with official paperwork on top of everything else can feel overwhelming. If you’re here because you need to use the Tell Us Once service, we understand how emotional this time may be for you.

In this guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about using the service, including how it works, which government departments it notifies, and the steps you’ll need to take to use it. We hope that this resource can help make the process as straightforward as possible, so you can spend less time dealing with paperwork and more time focusing on your own well-being and the people who matter most.

Key takeaways:

• Tell Us Once simplifies notifying government agencies after a death.
• It covers key departments like DWP, HMRC and DVLA.
• The service is available in England, Scotland and Wales, but not Northern Ireland.
• You’ll need the death certificate and National Insurance number to use it.
• While helpful, it doesn’t replace contacting financial institutions or some local councils separately.

Understanding the ‘Tell Us Once’ service

‘Tell Us Once’ is a simple way to notify government agencies that someone has died, and is designed to take some of the pressure off your shoulders by informing multiple departments at once, so you don’t have to contact each one separately. Instead of making extra phone calls or sending various letters, you can provide the information once, and the service will pass it on to the relevant agencies.

Practical matters after a death, and how ‘Tell Us Once’ can help

Losing someone you love is not just an emotional experience…it often comes with practical challenges too, such as handling pensions, bank accounts, registering the death, benefits, and tax updates. During what can be an overwhelming time, the ‘Tell Us Once’ service can help ease the administrative pressure by notifying key government departments such as HMRC, the Department for Work and Pensions, and the Passport Office, all in one go on your behalf. This means you won’t have to contact each organisation individually, giving you the space to focus on remembering and honouring your loved one.

If your loved one had a will, it can help guide decisions about their estate. However, when someone dies without a will, it can sometimes complicate matters or draw out proceedings. Seeking legal advice can provide clarity on what steps to take.

What and where does the ‘Tell Us Once’ service cover?

The service is available across England, Scotland and Wales. However, it’s not currently offered in Northern Ireland, where similar notifications must be made manually.

Government departments notified

When you use ‘Tell Us Once’, the following government agencies are informed automatically:

• Department for Work and Pensions (DWP): Updates state pension, benefits and disability payments.
• HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC): Adjusts income tax, tax credits and National Insurance records.
• Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA): Cancels the person’s driving licence and updates vehicle records.
• Local council: Updates council tax, electoral roll and housing benefit records.
• Public sector pensions: Notifies relevant government pension providers.
• Passport office: Cancels the person’s passport.

Using this service helps prevent issues such as benefit overpayments, incorrect tax charges and fraud risks related to identity theft.

How to use the ‘Tell Us Once’ service: a step-by-step guide

Step 1: Register the death and obtain a Tell Us Once reference number

You’ll receive a Tell Us Once reference number when you register the death at the local registrar’s office. This number allows you to access the service online, by phone, or in person.

Step 2: Choose how to use the service

The Tell Us Once service can be accessed in three ways:

1. Online – The registrar will provide a website link and reference number, allowing you to complete the process from home. Once the required information has been submitted, the relevant government agencies update their records automatically.
2. By phone – A government representative will guide you through the process over the phone.
3. In person – Some registrar offices offer in-person support if needed.

Step 3: Gather the necessary information

Having the right information ready will make the process quicker and easier.

Checklist: Documents and information you’ll need

• The Tell Us Once reference number provided by the registrar.
• The Death Certificate or coroner’s interim certificate, if applicable.
• The person’s National Insurance number.
• Their driving licence details, if applicable.
• Their passport details, if applicable.
• Any pension, benefit, or tax credit details from the Department for Work and Pensions.
• Contact details for the executor or solicitor handling the estate, if applicable.
• The next of kin’s contact information.

Step 4: Submit the information via Tell Us Once

If using the online or phone service, follow the step-by-step instructions to enter the required details. It may be a good idea to double-check all information for accuracy to avoid any delays or follow-ups.

Step 5: Confirmation and follow-up

Once the details are submitted, the relevant government departments will update their records. You may receive confirmation emails or letters from the agencies involved. Some departments may require additional paperwork, so it is important to check for any further requests, just in case.

What happens after using ‘Tell Us Once’?

Once you’ve provided the information, the government departments involved will begin updating their records. Processing times can vary, but in most cases, changes are made within a few weeks. If any additional steps are needed, you may be contacted directly.

Common missteps to avoid when using ‘Tell Us Once’

Although the service is designed to be simple, there are a few common mistakes that can lead to delays or complications:

• Not using the service after registering the death – The Tell Us Once reference number is only valid for a limited time, so try to complete the process as soon as possible.
• Providing incorrect information – Errors in names, dates of birth, or National Insurance numbers can cause delays and may require additional steps to correct.
• Assuming all councils offer the service – Not all local authorities participate in Tell Us Once. It is important to check availability with the registrar at the time of registration.
• Believing that financial institutions are notified – Tell Us Once only informs government agencies. Banks, insurance providers, and utility companies must still be contacted separately.

Tell Us Once and DVLA: what to do with a driving licence

Tell Us Once notifies the DVLA about the death, but you’ll still need to:

• Return the person’s driving licence by post. Send it to:
  Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), Swansea, SA99 1AB
• Update vehicle ownership records if the person owned a car. The registered keeper details must be changed to avoid complications with road tax and insurance.

It should be noted that forgetting this step could lead to automatic fines or legal issues.

Alternatives to ‘Tell Us Once’

Not all local councils participate in this service. If your local authority doesn’t offer Tell Us Once, you will also need to notify agencies separately. You can check availability when registering the death or on the UK government website.

If the service isn’t available in your area or you prefer to handle matters differently, you have other options. 

Manually contacting government agencies

If you choose to notify each department yourself, here’s what to expect:

• DWP: Call the Bereavement Service Helpline for benefit updates.
• HMRC: Notify them about tax and National Insurance changes.
• DVLA: Send back the driving licence with a cover letter that explains your relationship to the person and the circumstances of their death. Include their name, address and date of birth, and update vehicle records.
• Local council: Contact them about council tax, housing and electoral roll updates.

This process does take longer, but it can be done if needed.

Reviews and effectiveness of the service

Many people find the Tell Us Once service useful in their time of need because it reduces the pressure of dealing with multiple agencies. However, some have reported occasional delays or difficulties if a department requires extra information.

Common feedback includes:

Convenient and time-saving – Everything is handled in one go.
Prevents overpayments – Stops incorrect pension or benefit payments.
Not available everywhere – Northern Ireland and some local councils don’t offer it.
Follow-ups may be needed – Some agencies might request additional paperwork.

Despite minor limitations, Tell Us Once is widely considered an efficient and valuable resource for those handling a loved one’s affairs.

Aura in your time of need

After a death, there’s so much to think about, and what to do when someone dies is sometimes unclear and can be difficult to handle. As you deal with your grief, communicating with family and friends, and simply just getting through each day, the last thing you should have to worry about is whether the funeral arrangements will go smoothly.

With our simple direct cremation services and prepaid funeral plans we’re committed to providing a caring and seamless service, ensuring our customers feel truly supported by our experienced and compassionate team of Aura Angels. Whether it’s making sure the details are just right, handling the practicalities behind the scenes, or providing a listening ear when you need it the most, we’re here to make things a little easier and  give you the space to focus on what really matters to you and your family.

Without the formalities of a traditional funeral service, families have the freedom to say goodbye in a way that feels more personal and tailored to them. Maybe that means holding a quiet moment of reflection at home, planning a separate memorial, a celebration of life, or simply remembering their loved one in their own time and way. Should you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with a member of our knowledgeable team today.