A NEW service to reduce stress and red tape when reporting a birth or death has been launched in Dorset.
The Tell Us Once service will see information shared between all councils across the county, so residents need only notify one place of a birth or death.
Currently, people are required to inform the registrar and many separate council departments – such as council tax, housing benefits and the electoral roll – of a change in circumstances.
Under the new Tell Us Once service, only the registrar will need to be informed of a birth or death.
With permission, the registrar will pass on the information to the relevant council departments and other public sector service providers, such as the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the Identity and Passport Service and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.
The service is being operated through a computer system provided by the DWP.
Residents will need to contact the registrar in person but in time residents will also be able to report a death online or by phone.
Visit www.dorsetforyou.com/tellusonce or call 01305 225153.
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