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Original poster

How do I find out whether someone is still living or has died?

135 replies

AFrustratingSituation · 04/05/2026 20:09

What is the quickest, cheapest, easiest and most straightforward way of checking whether someone is still living or has died?

Thank you.

OP posts:
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Original poster
AFrustratingSituation · 04/05/2026 20:22

pimplebum · 04/05/2026 20:18

Can i ask Why ?
local facebook , i put some names and last known address , found answers in minutes

somerset house for death records , i would assume you can filter it down to a manageable amount

I'd rather not say if possible.

Can't ask publicly eg on fb.

OP posts:
HelenaWilson · 04/05/2026 20:20

somerset house for death records

Death records haven't been at Somerset House for many years!

Just go to the gov.uk site I linked to.

pimplebum · 04/05/2026 20:18

most funerals packages will post in local paper

pimplebum · 04/05/2026 20:18

Can i ask Why ?
local facebook , i put some names and last known address , found answers in minutes

somerset house for death records , i would assume you can filter it down to a manageable amount

HelenaWilson · 04/05/2026 20:17

Ancestry only has up to 2005.

Assuming you're in the UK, OP, go here:
Order a birth, death, marriage or civil partnership certificate - GOV.UK

The process is different in different parts of the UK, but the site will guide you. You can search for a name for free, but need to pay if you want to order a certificate.

You can search the birth indexes too, to find the year of birth.

Order a birth, death, marriage or civil partnership certificate

Order an official birth, adoption, death, marriage or civil partnership certificate from the General Register Office (GRO) if you need a copy or want to research your family tree.

https://www.gov.uk/order-copy-birth-death-marriage-certificate

ProperGandering · 04/05/2026 20:17

You could also try searching obituaries. A name could come up in their own obituary or a family member's. In the latter case it usually will specify if the person you're looking for is in the predeceased or 'survived by' category.

Original poster
AFrustratingSituation · 04/05/2026 20:12

Thank you, though!!

OP posts:
Original poster
AFrustratingSituation · 04/05/2026 20:12

I don't know the year of birth.

I know full name and place of birth, though.

OP posts:
SummerFeverVenice · 04/05/2026 20:11

Ancestry.co.uk

Search by name, place and year of birth to find them.
If a death has been registered, you’d be likely to find it.
If you can’t find one, they’re likely still alive.

Original poster
AFrustratingSituation · 04/05/2026 20:11

And what is the process? Thank you again.

OP posts:
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