When a loved one passes away unexpectedly, families often face the overwhelming challenge of navigating complex legal processes while grieving. For some, understanding the role of a coroner’s report may be crucial during this difficult time.

In the United Kingdom, coroners’ courts are tasked with finding out the reason for a person’s death if they passed from unnatural, violent or other circumstances and the exact reason for their death is unknown.

However, most people may not know that a coroner’s duties extend far beyond this role of investigating sudden, violent or suspicious deaths. For instance, did you know that coroners also possess powers to investigate treasure finds, permit museums to acquire treasure and ascertain the level of rewards that should be paid for such treasures?

Here are some interesting facts related to the world of coroners in the UK, published in the government’s “Coroners statistics 2024: England and Wales” report:

  • 31% of all registered deaths were reported to a coroner in 2024 (a decrease of 3% from 2023).
  • Deaths in state detention sadly increased by 11% (546 deaths) in 2024, compared to the previous year, in which 492 were reported.
  • The total number of inquests opened was 36,661, down by 1% compared to 2023.

Given these figures, it’s clear that the chances of a person’s family being involved in a coroner’s inquest or investigation are far from negligible and there could be various reasons why it may be necessary to obtain a coroner’s report for use either within or outside the UK.

In this article, we’ll explore the coroner process in the UK, including:

  • The UK legal definition of a coroner’s report;
  • How coroners are appointed and how many there are in the UK;
  • The four essential questions that must be answered as part of a coroner’s inquest or investigation; 
  • The eligibility requirements and process for obtaining an extract or copy of a coroner’s report;
  • The timeframe and fees related to obtaining a coroner’s report;
  • The circumstances under which it may be necessary to produce or submit a UK coroner’s report abroad, and the process for ensuring the validity of said coroner’s report outside of the United Kingdom.

What Is a Coroner’s Report?

A coroner’s report in the UK is defined as a formal document produced by a coroner after an inquest or investigation into a death that is violent, unnatural, unknown in cause, or occurred in certain circumstances, such as custody. It records the coroner’s findings regarding the cause and circumstances of the death. The report contains comprehensive results from post-mortem examinations carried out by a pathologist. Such reports are formal documents that may be sent to authorities, families, or institutions and sometimes include recommendations for preventing future deaths. These reports are grounded in the legal framework established by the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 and the Coroners Rules 2013, which govern how coroners conduct investigations and report outcomes.

The coroner’s investigation aims to answer four statutory questions: who the deceased was, and when, where and how they died. The report contains comprehensive results from the examination, including post-mortem findings, chemical analysis results, and details about the events leading to the death. Although death certificates are typically utilised for official and legal matters like estate resolution, the coroner’s documentation can be essential for judicial proceedings or law enforcement investigations. For people who have passed away who held property outside of the United Kingdom, it’s likely that the relatives will need to produce documentary evidence of the deceased’s passing to foreign authorities or organisations as part of foreign inheritance proceedings.

The coroner may hold an inquest as part of their investigation, but it doesn’t determine criminal or civil liability. The coroner’s role is to establish facts surrounding the death and sometimes issue prevention of future death reports to highlight risks, but they do not assign blame.

Coroner’s Investigation vs Inquest

A coroner’s investigation is the overall process where the coroner collects and examines information to determine who died, and how, when and where they died. This investigation includes gathering evidence, post-mortem examinations, and other inquiries. It’s a broader term that may or may not include an inquest (court hearing), depending on the circumstances.

A coroner’s inquest is usually the final stage of the coroner’s investigation. It’s a formal public court hearing conducted by the coroner or a jury to establish the facts about the death. The inquest is focused on fact-finding and does not assign blame or liability. Not all investigations result in an inquest; an inquest is required only in certain circumstances (e.g., violent or unnatural deaths, deaths in state custody). The coroner decides whether an inquest is necessary based on the circumstances.

Understanding Key Death-Related Documents in the UK

Death Certificates vs Coroner’s Reports

A death certificate is the official government document that legally certifies a person’s death, including the date, place, and cause of death. Medical professionals work to determine the cause of death before certification. This document is issued by the registrar once the cause of death to be registered is established and serves as the primary legal proof of death for funeral arrangements, Grant of Probate proceedings and insurance claims. In contrast, a coroner’s report is produced following a formal investigation or inquest into deaths that are sudden, unexplained, or suspicious. 

This document is issued by the registrar once the death to be registered is established

The Role of Letters of Administration

Letters of administration serve a completely different purpose from both death certificates and coroner’s reports. These legal documents are issued by a probate registry, specifically when someone dies without leaving a valid will (intestate). They authorise an administrator (typically a close relative) to collect, manage and distribute the deceased’s assets according to statutory inheritance laws. 

The Role of Medical Examiners

Alongside coroners, medical examiners play an important role in death certification. These senior doctors independently scrutinise non-coroner deaths, review medical records and ensure accurate Medical Certificates of Cause of Death (MCCD). Medical examiners help issue a medical certificate of cause of death as well as provide bereaved families opportunities to ask questions, direct deaths to coroners when necessary and enhance death certification quality.

More on Coroners: From History to Current Appointment Process and Numbers

From Tax Collectors to Death Investigators: The Historical Evolution

The office of the coroner was formally established in 1194, originally as a form of tax gatherer. This role evolved over the centuries and now coroners are independent judicial officers who investigate deaths under specific circumstances. Specifically, if they have reason to suspect that:

  • The death was violent or unnatural; 
  • The cause of death is unknown; or
  • The deceased died while in state detention.

The Modern Coroner Appointment Process

The current process for the appointment of any coroner (or assistant coroner) requires that the appointment is approved by the Chief Coroner and the Lord Chancellor.

For the appointment of any coroner, either the Chief Coroner or nominee of the Chief Coroner must be present during the applicant’s interview process (purely in an observing capacity).

Each coroner area is led by a Senior Coroner. Some local authorities also appoint one or more Area Coroners to support the Senior Coroner, in addition to the appointment of a number of Assistant Coroners.

Current Numbers: Coroners Across England and Wales

Interestingly, there are no UK-wide statistics recorded for the total number of practising coroners in the United Kingdom at any given time.

What we do know − as published in the Report of the Chief Coroner to the Lord Chancellor: Annual Report for 2023 − is that:

  • There were 23 Assistant Coroner appointments in 2023;
  • There are a total of 77 coroner areas across England and Wales;
  • 13 Area Coroners were appointed in 2023; and
  • There were five Senior Coroner appointments in 2023.

4 Essential Questions That Must Be Answered As Part of a Coroner Inquest or Investigation 

For any coroner’s inquest or investigation, four key questions must be answered, namely:

  1. The identity of a deceased;
  2. When they became deceased;
  3. Where they became a deceased; 
  4. How they became deceased.

Where the “enhanced duty of investigation” arises under Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), the coroner or jury must examine the wider circumstances in which the death occurred, but still can’t express an opinion on any topic other than the four statutory matters to be ascertained. This duty arises particularly in cases where a death occurs under state control or responsibility, such as deaths in custody, prisons, or hospitals, or where there is suspicion of unlawful killing or failure to protect life.

The Coroners and Justice Act 2009 expressly prevents inquest determinations from being framed in such a way as to appear to determine any question of civil liability or any question of criminal liability on the part of a named person.

Coronial investigations are inquisitorial, with the coroner (assisted by PIPs − Properly Interested Persons) examining evidence to discover the truth about how the deceased died, rather than adjudicating between competing versions of events.

Who Can Request a Coroner’s Report in the UK?

If your family member has died under violent, unnatural, or unknown circumstances, you may wonder: Can I obtain a coroner’s report?

In the UK, family members don’t automatically receive the original coroner’s report. Instead, they’re typically entitled to request a copy or an extract of the coroner’s report. The original report remains with the coroner’s office as an official legal record.

Family members − often referred to as “Properly Interested Persons” (PIPs) − including spouses, parents, children and sometimes siblings or long-term partners, have rights to receive copies of reports and statements related to the inquest. While they don’t have an automatic right to see all information, coroners generally agree to disclose relevant reports to them upon request. The family can also request reports after the inquest, usually with possible administrative costs involved.

Eligibility 

If your family member’s death may require investigation under violent, unnatural, or unknown circumstances, there is an important eligibility criterion for anyone wishing to apply and obtain an extract of a coroner’s report in the United Kingdom.

Once an inquest has been completed, a PIP (Properly Interested Person) may apply to inspect (without charge) the notes of evidence or any document put in evidence at the inquest, or a copy of any post-mortem examination report. 

In order to apply for a coroner’s report, the applicant must be a Properly Interested Person (PIP) as defined by Section 47 (2) of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009. 

This includes either:

  • A close relative of the deceased; or
  • The personal representative of the deceased.

The definition of an interested person also includes a person involved with the death, a person appointed by a government department to attend the inquest or provide evidence, and anyone else who the coroner thinks has a sufficient interest.

A PIP has certain rights during the investigation and inquest. This includes the right to be told about the dates of hearings and to receive documents from the coroner that may be used in the inquest. 

The above rules apply to records of deaths less than 75 years old. For records of 75 years old or longer, these can be obtained by anyone, whether they are or are not interested members of the public.

How to Apply for a Copy of a Coroner’s Report in the UK

  • Determine Eligibility

Confirm that you are a Properly Interested Person (PIP), such as a close relative or the personal representative of the deceased, as defined by the Coroners and Justice Act 2009.

  • Contact the Coroner’s Office

Contact the coroner at the office responsible for the area where the death occurred. You can usually find contact details on the local council or judiciary websites.

  • Submit a Formal Request

Make a written request for a copy or extract of the coroner’s report or other relevant documents. Include details such as the deceased’s full name, date of death and your relationship to them.

  • Provide Proof of Interest or Identity

Be prepared to provide evidence of your relationship or status as a personal representative.

  • Pay Applicable Fees

Pay any fee required for copying or transcripts as set by the coroner’s office (typically around £5 for up to 10 pages, plus additional costs per page or transcript length).

  • Await Processing

The coroner’s office will process your request and send the documents, usually by post or electronic copy.

  • Follow Up if Needed

If there is a delay or additional clarification is needed, contact the coroner’s office for updates.

Notes: These steps apply to England and Wales. Specific procedural steps may slightly differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland as coronial systems vary. In addition, getting copies of records of death 75 years old or older involves applying for copies via the National Archives. 

Costs

Copies may be obtained following payment of a fee to the coroner. The notes may be in the form of a transcript from a voice recording or the coroner’s own notes. The coroner’s manuscript notes may not be a full verbatim record.

A coroner may not charge a fee for any document or copy of any document, disclosed to an interested person before or during an inquest; however, they may charge a fee post-inquest. 

According to The Coroners Allowances, Fees and Expenses Regulations 2013 (which are still applicable), the fees for disclosing documents in paper form are typically £5 for the first 10 pages, plus 50p for each additional page.

Fees for transcripts depend on length, starting at about £6.20 for short transcripts to £13.10 or more for longer transcripts, with additional costs per extra words.

There’s usually no fee for electronic copies sent by email.

How Long Does a Coroner’s Report Take to Be Issued in the UK?

When it comes to waiting times for coroner’s reports and inquests in the UK, there is no specific timeframe provided by law. However, this ought to be within a reasonable period. A family member requesting a copy might expect to wait from a few weeks up to several months, depending on when the inquest concludes and local processing speed. Delays frequently arise from waiting on external investigations (police, forensic, or others), availability of resources, or complexity of death circumstances.

Note that complex cases can take months or years, affecting probate and estate administration timelines.

When Might You Need to Produce or Submit a UK Coroner’s Report Outside of the United Kingdom?

If an individual domiciled outside the United Kingdom passes away in the UK, there is every chance that the authorities in the domicile of the deceased may require proof of the deceased’s passing − and potentially within a short period of time.

What if an inquest must be conducted?

Since a coroner’s inquest can be a lengthy process, depending on the circumstances of a deceased’s passing, coroners have the ability – in the request of an interested party – to issue an interim death certificate, which may be apostilled by the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) before being used in a foreign jurisdiction.

The interim death certificate is titled a Coroner’s Certificate of the Fact of Death. It permits relatives to deal with the deceased’s assets held outside of the United Kingdom as part of the probate/administration process while the coroner’s inquest proceeds to a later conclusion. The interim certificate also facilitates release of the body for funeral arrangements while investigations continue.

Document Legalisation

Before an interim death certificate or documents related to a coroner’s inquest (such as a post-mortem report) can be recognised outside of the United Kingdom, these documents will firstly need to undergo a process known as legalisation, whereby the original document will be apostilled by the FCDO. Coroner’s reports often require this authentication when used as supporting evidence for international matters, such as accessing overseas assets mentioned in a will or claiming life insurance policies held abroad. An apostille for your coroner’s report establishes its legal validity in these circumstances.

Later (if required – depending on whether the foreign jurisdiction is a party to the ‘Hague Apostille Convention’), these documents may need to be further legalised/consularised by the Embassy or Consulate of the foreign country or the receiving jurisdiction based in the United Kingdom.

Notarisation of Documents

The authentication requirements for your coroner’s report depend entirely on how it was originally issued. If you received an original physical document bearing the coroner’s actual wet-ink signature, it can proceed directly to apostille certification through the FCDO without requiring notarisation first. However, documents issued with printed or electronic signatures, photocopies, or electronic printouts from PDF files must undergo notarisation before they can qualify for apostille certification. This preliminary notarisation step is essential for establishing the document’s authenticity when the original lacks a physical signature.

Conclusion

Understanding the coroner’s report process in the UK is essential for families navigating sudden or unexplained deaths, from knowing your eligibility as a Properly Interested Person to obtaining copies and ensuring proper authentication for international use. 

Ready to authenticate your coroner’s report for use abroad? 

At Notary.co.uk, we can assist you with all your notarisation, apostille and legalisation needs. From notarisation to express consular processing, we handle every step of the authentication process across the UK.

Should you require our services, please contact us by emailing info@notary.co.uk or calling  020 7630 1777 today.

FAQ

Q: Who can request a copy of a coroner’s report in the UK? 

A: Only Properly Interested Persons (PIPs) can request copies, including close relatives of the deceased, personal representatives, or anyone else the coroner deems to have sufficient interest. For deaths over 75 years old, any member of the public can obtain copies.

Q: How much does it cost to obtain a coroner’s report? 

A: Fees are typically £5 for the first 10 pages, plus 50p for each additional page. Transcript fees range from £6.20 for short transcripts to £13.10 or more for longer ones. Electronic copies sent by email are usually free.

Q: What four essential questions must every coroner’s investigation answer? 

A: Every coroner’s investigation must determine: 1) The identity of the deceased, 2) When the deceased died, 3) Where the deceased died, and 4) How the deceased died.

Q: How long does it take to receive a coroner’s report in the UK? 

A: There is no specific legal timeframe, but reports should be issued within a reasonable period. The timing depends on the complexity of the case and whether an inquest is required.

Q: Can I use a UK coroner’s report internationally? 

A: Yes, but it must first be legalised through apostille certification by the FCDO. Documents without original wet-ink signatures require notarisation before apostille. Further consular legalisation may be needed, depending on the destination country.