Coronavirus Act 2020

Giving information to the registrar other than in person and dispensing with signing the register

21 (1) A qualified informant who is required under the 1976 Order to give information concerning a death or still-birth to a registrar, but who is unable to attend before a registrar in person, may give that information—

(a) by telephone, or

(b) by electronic means.

(2) The duty of a qualified informant to sign the register does not apply where information is given in reliance on sub-paragraph (1).

(3) Where information is given in reliance on sub-paragraph (1), that information is to be regarded for the purposes of the 1976 Order as having been given in the manner that is required by the 2012 Regulations.

(4) An entry in the register of deaths or the register of still-births for which, by virtue of sub-paragraph (2), no signature is required is to be treated as an entry signed by a qualified informant for the purposes of the 2012 Regulations.

(5) A qualified informant is to be treated as unable to attend before a registrar in person for the purposes of sub-paragraph (1) if it would be unreasonable or impracticable for the person to do so (whether because of illness, the need to care for others, the risk of infection, staff shortages at the registrar’s office or any other reason).