Document Vault Checklist

Death certificate (original + certified copies)

Where to look: You will need 5 to 10 certified copies. Order extras when you register the death at the register office. Each copy costs £12.50 in England and Wales. Many organisations will not accept photocopies.

Will

Where to look: Have a look through their home (the filing cabinet, a safe, desk drawers), and ask their solicitor and their bank, as some hold wills in a safe deposit box. You can also search the National Will Register (certainty.co.uk). Wills are sometimes stored with Will Aid or a local probate registry too.

Their birth certificate

Where to look: Usually kept at home with the other important papers. If you cannot find it, you can order a replacement from the General Register Office (gro.gov.uk) for £11. In Scotland, apply to National Records of Scotland.

Marriage or civil partnership certificate

Where to look: Needed for pension claims, life insurance, and probate. If lost, order a replacement from the register office where the ceremony took place, or from gro.gov.uk (£11).

National Insurance number

Where to look: Found on payslips, P60s, tax letters from HMRC, or benefit letters from DWP. You can also call the HMRC NI helpline on 0300 200 3500.

Passport

Where to look: Have a look at home. HM Passport Office will cancel it once they are told through Tell Us Once. Do not post it off straight away; hold on to it until you have finished using it as identification for banks and insurers.

Driving licence

Where to look: DVLA will be notified via Tell Us Once if you use the service. Otherwise, return it to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1AB. Keep a note of the licence number first.

Bank and building society account details

Where to look: Check for statements, debit cards, chequebooks, and online banking details. Look for letters from banks in recent post. You can also write to the major banks to ask if the person held any accounts.

Mortgage documents

Where to look: The mortgage lender will have a record. Check for paperwork at home, or look at bank statements for monthly payments. Many mortgages include life insurance that pays off the balance.

Life insurance policies

Where to look: Check paperwork at home, bank statements for premium payments, and contact the person's employer (many workplace schemes include life cover). The Association of British Insurers can help trace lost policies.

Pension details (state, workplace, private)

Where to look: Check payslips for workplace pension deductions. Contact the Pension Tracing Service (gov.uk/find-pension-contact-details) to find lost pensions. State pension: call DWP on 0800 731 0469.

Premium Bonds and NS&I certificates

Where to look: Check for certificates or letters from NS&I at home. Contact NS&I on 08085 007 007 or at nsandi.com. Premium Bonds stay in draws for 12 months after death.

Share certificates and investment statements

Where to look: Check for certificates, ISA statements, or letters from fund managers. Look at bank statements for dividends. Contact the Unclaimed Assets Register if you think there are lost investments.

Tax returns, P60s, and HMRC correspondence

Where to look: Check home files and online HMRC accounts. The last P60 shows income and tax paid in the final tax year. You will need these to file the final Self Assessment return if required.

Benefit letters (if receiving any)

Where to look: Check for letters from DWP, the local council (Housing Benefit, Council Tax Support), or the NHS (exemption certificates). These help identify what needs to be cancelled or transferred.

Property deeds or tenancy agreement

Where to look: If the property is owned, deeds are usually held by the mortgage lender or solicitor. Check the Land Registry (gov.uk/search-property-information-service). If rented, find the tenancy agreement and contact the landlord.

Council tax bill

Where to look: Found in recent post or online council account. Notify the council promptly, as you may be entitled to a discount or exemption while the property is empty. The property is exempt from council tax for up to 6 months after a death.

Gas account details

Where to look: Check recent bills, direct debits on bank statements, or the meter for the supplier name. You can also check who supplies gas to an address at findmysupplier.energy.

Electricity account details

Where to look: Check recent bills, direct debits on bank statements, or the meter for the supplier name. Some people have gas and electric with the same supplier, but not always.

Water account details

Where to look: The water company depends on the property location. Check recent bills or contact the regional water company directly. Water bills are usually paid quarterly.

Broadband and phone contracts

Where to look: Check bank statements for monthly payments, and look for a router (the provider name is usually on it). Mobile phone contracts: check the phone itself or recent direct debits.

Home insurance (buildings and contents)

Where to look: Check paperwork at home and bank statements for annual or monthly payments. Notify the insurer urgently if the property will be empty, as policies often have a 30-day unoccupied limit.

Vehicle registration document (V5C)

Where to look: Usually kept in the car or at home. You need this to transfer ownership or notify DVLA the vehicle is off the road (SORN). Never leave it in the car if parked on a public road.

Car insurance certificate

Where to look: Check the glovebox, home paperwork, or bank statements for the insurer. Cancel or transfer the policy promptly. You may be entitled to a pro-rata refund of the remaining premium.

MOT certificate

Where to look: Check the glovebox or online at gov.uk/check-mot-history. The MOT stays valid but must be in date if the car is being driven or sold.

Funeral plan or wishes document

Where to look: Have a look at home for a prepaid funeral plan, a letter of wishes, or instructions left with a solicitor. Many people arrange and pay for their funeral in advance through companies such as Dignity or the Co-op, and finding this can be a real comfort.

Medical records, prescriptions, and GP details

Where to look: The GP surgery holds the main records. You may need them for insurance claims, any questions about the cause of death, or pension applications that ask for medical evidence.

Digital accounts (email, social media, subscriptions)

Where to look: Have a look at their phone and computer, and any password manager they used. Bank statements will show subscription payments such as Netflix, Amazon, or Spotify. Facebook can memorialise an account, and Google has an Inactive Account Manager.