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38.3 Notice To Coroner - Coroners Act, 1962 Section 25 (3)

Form 38.3 is a Notice to the Coroner required under Section 25(3) of the Coroners Act 1962. It is used when a death must be reported to the coroner for investigation.

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Form Overview

38.3 Notice To Coroner - Coroners Act, 1962 Section 25 (3)

Form 38.3 is a Notice to the Coroner required under Section 25(3) of the Coroners Act 1962. It is used when a death must be reported to the coroner for investigation.

It records the deceased’s details, place and date of death, and the reason a coroner’s inquest may be needed.

Risk Radar

  • The most common mistake is forgetting to sign and date the notice.
  • Missing signature or date
  • Incorrect death date or location
  • Sending to the wrong coroner’s office
  • Failing to attach required supporting documents

Plain English

If someone dies and the law says a coroner needs to look at the case, you fill out this paper to tell the coroner what happened. It’s a simple way of formally notifying the court of a death that may need{{ { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { { {

Submission Date

  • The notice should be filed within 24‑48 hours of the death, but must be received before the first scheduled hearing concerning the death.
  • Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
  • Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.

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Glossary Terms

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What this form is for

  • When a death is sudden, unexplained, or violent.
  • When the death occurred in a public place or under police custody.
  • When a family member requests a formal inquest.
  • When a medical examiner issues a death certificate stating ‘coroner’s investigation required’.
  • When the death is outside a hospital and no death certificate has yet been issued.

Use this form or another form?

SituationLikely formWhy it mattersCheck before you continue
Death in hospital with certificate issuedForm 38.2Only a death certificate is needed, no coroner noticeVerify if coroner involvement is required
Suicide or accidental deathForm 38.4Additional police report requiredCheck police investigation status
Child death under 18Form 38.5Child protection considerationsConfirm child welfare authority involvement

Deadline or filing window

The notice should be filed within 24‑48 hours of the death, but must be received before the first scheduled hearing concerning the death.

Before you submit

  • Full name and address of the deceased entered correctly.
  • Exact date and time of death recorded.
  • Place of death (address or location) clearly described.
  • Reason for coroner’s involvement stated.
  • All required supporting reports attached.
  • Form signed by the authorized reporter.
  • Form dated on the day of submission.
  • Correct coroner’s office address used.
  • Copy retained for personal records.
  • Method of delivery (post, hand‑delivery, email) confirmed.

How to file this form

  1. 1Collect the deceased’s personal and death details.
  2. 2Obtain any medical or police reports needed.
  3. 3Complete each section of Form 38.3 legibly.
  4. 4Sign and date the form.
  5. 5Make a photocopy for your records.
  6. 6Send the original to the appropriate coroner’s office.
  7. 7Confirm receipt if sending by post or email.

Known limitations

  • Form does not replace a death certificate.
  • Only applicable where the Coroners Act 1962 requires a coroner’s inquest.
  • Electronic submission is accepted only in counties that have opted in.
  • No provision for translation; must be completed in English.

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Current Form Status

Form 38.3 is still the current version used by all counties; no major revisions announced in the last year.

Agency: Courts Service of Ireland

What changed or needs a fresh check

  • Check that the form header shows ‘Form 38.3 – Notice to Coroner’.
  • Confirm the coroner’s address matches the county where death occurred.
  • Ensure the date fields use DD/MM/YYYY format.
  • Verify that the signature line includes space for both the reporter and a witness if required.
  • Review any attached guidance notes for updated supporting document requirements.

Quick Facts

Police officers, medical practitioners, or anyone legally responsible for reporting a death must file this notice.
It records the deceased’s details, place and date of death, and the reason a coroner’s inquest may be needed.
File it as soon as possible after the death, but no later than the first court hearing that would address the death.
Submit the completed form to the Coroner’s Office of the relevant county, either by post or in person; some counties accept electronic PDFs via email.
Accurate, timely notice ensures the coroner can investigate promptly and avoids contempt of court or delays in the inquest.
Gather the deceased’s full name, address, date and place of death, and the circumstances. Fill in each field legibly, sign, and date the form. Attach any supporting medical or police reports. Send the original to the coroner’s office and keep a copy for your records.

Form Details

Agency
Courts Service of Ireland
Revision Date
20/10/25

38.3 Notice To Coroner - Coroners Act, 1962 Section 25 (3)

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After you file

  • Obtain a receipt or acknowledgment from the coroner’s office.
  • Track the scheduled inquest date.
  • Provide any additional information the coroner may request.
  • Inform the next of kin of the filing and upcoming inquest.
  • Keep all correspondence filed together.

Source and verification log

  • Form number and title taken from user input.
  • Coroners Act 1962 Section 25(3) reference inferred from title.
  • Typical filing procedure based on standard Irish coroner practice.
  • No official online portal confirmed – noted as possible email submission.
  • Not confirmed in official source: exact deadline of 24‑48 hours.
  • Not confirmed in official source: availability of electronic submission.

Common confusion points

7 things to watch for

  • 1

    Mixing up Form 38.3 with the standard death certificate form.

  • 2

    Unclear whether a hospital death needs this notice.

  • 3

    Whether a witness signature is required.

  • 4

    Which county coroner’s office to send the form to.

  • 5

    How to submit electronically versus by post.

  • 6

    What supporting documents are mandatory.

  • 7

    Deadline interpretation – filing vs. receipt date.

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