Register a stillbirth
Stillbirths in England and Wales must be registered within 42 days of the stillbirth.
When a baby is stillborn after the 24th week of pregnancy, a Medical Certificate of Stillbirth signed by the midwife or doctor, will be sent to the registrar.
If your pregnancy ends before 24 weeks, you can get a free certificate in memory of your baby. You don’t need to request a certificate if you prefer not to - it’s optional. This certificate is not a legal document - for example you cannot use it to claim benefits.
Who needs to register?
- if the parents are married to each other or in a civil partnership together, either parent can register
- if the parents are not married to each other, the father must attend the appointment with the mother for his details to be included on the registration - if the mother attends alone, no father's details will be recorded
- if two female parents are not in a marriage or civil partnership together, both must attend the appointment and must meet the requirements of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act for the second female details to be included on the registration - if the mother attends alone, no second female parent details will be recorded
The registrar will need to know
- date and place of the stillbirth
- the forenames and surname, if the parents wish to name the child
- sex of the child
- parents' names, surnames and address (including any former names)
- places and dates of parents' birth
- date of parents' marriage or civil partnership (if applicable)
- parents' occupations
- mother's maiden surname
It would be useful for you to bring
- your passport or birth certificate
- proof of your current address
- proof of any former name or names (for example, change of name deed or marriage certificate)
You’re not legally required to produce these documents but if you do, they can help to ensure the registration is completed accurately.
The registrar who registers the stillbirth will provide you with
- a Certificate for Burial or Cremation - his will be emailed direct to the funeral directors so that the funeral can be held
- a Certificate of Registration of Stillbirth
It is also possible to get certified copies of the entry.
Getting support when your baby dies
SANDS, the stillbirth and neonatal death charity, supports anyone who's been affected by the death of a baby before, during or shortly after birth. They work with families throughout the UK to offer emotional and practical support for parents, grandparents and siblings.