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Form 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

Courts Service of Ireland - Form 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

Scan points
  • 1The most common mistake is forgetting to sign and date the notice.
  • 2Missing signature or date
  • 3Incorrect death date or location
  • 4Sending to the wrong coroner’s office
  • 5Failing 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

  • Filing 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

deathcourt

Hover a term to preview the meaning.

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.

Form selector

Use this form or another form?

Death in hospital with certificate issued

Only a death certificate is needed, no coroner notice

✓ Verify if coroner involvement is required

Form 38.2

Suicide or accidental death

Additional police report required

✓ Check police investigation status

Form 38.4

Child death under 18

Child protection considerations

✓ Confirm child welfare authority involvement

Form 38.5

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

  1. 1Full name and address of the deceased entered correctly.
  2. 2Exact date and time of death recorded.
  3. 3Place of death (address or location) clearly described.
  4. 4Reason for coroner’s involvement stated.
  5. 5All required supporting reports attached.
  6. 6Form signed by the authorized reporter.
  7. 7Form dated on the day of submission.
  8. 8Correct coroner’s office address used.
  9. 9Copy retained for personal records.
  10. 10Method 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

  1. 1Form does not replace a death certificate.
  2. 2Only applicable where the Coroners Act 1962 requires a coroner’s inquest.
  3. 3Electronic submission is accepted only in counties that have opted in.
  4. 4No provision for translation; must be completed in English.

Field map

Compact field-by-field guide

6 fields

Proceedings

3 items

Title of Proceedings

The names of the parties exactly as they appear on the originating document.

Requiredtext
Record Number

The court record number for the case, if one has been assigned.

Requiredtext
Court and Office

The court and the office where the document is being filed.

Requiredtext

Substance

2 items

Relief or Information Sought

What you are asking the court to do, or the information the form requires.

Requiredtext
Grounds and Exhibits

The facts relied on and any documents exhibited with the filing.

text

Execution

1 items

Signature, Jurat or Service Details

Signed, sworn or certified as the form requires, with proof of service where needed.

Requiredsignature
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Current form status
COURTS

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

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.

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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

Revision date
20/10/25

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Sources

  • SRCForm number and title taken from user input.
  • SRCCoroners Act 1962 Section 25(3) reference inferred from title.
  • SRCTypical filing procedure based on standard Irish coroner practice.
  • SRCNo official online portal confirmednoted as possible email submission.
  • SRCNot confirmed in official source: exact deadline of 24‑48 hours.
  • SRCNot confirmed in official source: availability of electronic submission.

Common confusion points

Mixing up Form 38.3 with the standard death certificate form.

Unclear whether a hospital death needs this notice.

Whether a witness signature is required.

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

How to submit electronically versus by post.

What supporting documents are mandatory.

Deadline interpretation – filing vs. receipt date.

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