Registering a stillbirth
How is a stillbirth defined?
A stillborn child is legally defined as a child born after the 24th week of pregnancy who did not, at any time after being born, breathe or show any other signs of life.
What do you need to do to register the birth?
When a baby is stillborn, a doctor or midwife will issue a medical certificate of stillbirth to the registrar.
Every stillbirth in England or Wales must be registered in the district in which it takes place.
Who can register a stillbirth?
Parents married to or in a civil partnership with each other:
If the parents of the baby were married to or in a civil partnership with each other at the time of the stillbirth (or conception) either parent may register.
Parents not married to or in a civil partnership with each other:
If the parents were not married to or in a civil partnership with each other at the time of the stillbirth (or conception), information about the father or second female parent may only be entered in the register in specific circumstances.
The Registrar will advise on these circumstances when you contact the Register Office.
If the parents of the baby cannot register the stillbirth, the following are required to do so:
- The occupier of the house or hospital where the baby was stillborn.
- A person who was present at the stillbirth.
- A person who is responsible for the stillborn baby e.g. coroners office.
- The person who found the stillborn baby (where the date / location of the stillbirth are unknown).
Information to be supplied for the registration of a stillbirth
For the baby:
- Date and place of stillbirth.
- The forename(s) and surname, if the parents wish to name the stillborn baby.
- Sex of the baby.
For the mother:
- Forename and surname (and any other names she has been known by).
- Maiden surname if the mother is, or has been, married or in a civil partnership
- Place of birth.
- Occupation at the time of the stillbirth or, if not employed at that time, the last occupation.
- Usual address at the date of the stillbirth.
For the father or second female parent (where this information is to be entered in the register):
- Forename(s) and surname.
- Place of birth.
- Occupation at the time of the stillbirth or, if not employed at that time, the last occupation.
For statistical purposes only:
- Dates of birth of parents named in register
- Date of marriage or civil partnership of parents, if married to or in a civil partnership with the stillborn baby’s father or second female parent at the time of the stillbirth.
What certificates will be issued?
Stillbirth certificate
After a still-birth has been registered, one or more certificates may be obtained at the time of registration.
Certificate for burial or cremation
The registrar will issue a certificate for the burial or cremation of the stillborn child.
The certificate is normally passed to the funeral director who is making the arrangements.
A funeral cannot take place until this certificate is given to the burial authority or the crematorium.
If there is a delay to the registration, it is possible for a certificate for the burial to be issued before registration provided the still-birth does not need to be reported to the coroner.