Registering a stillbirth

What is the definition of a stillbirth?

Why is registration necessary?

Where can I register a stillbirth?

When must a stillbirth be registered?

Who can register a stillbirth?

What documents do I need to produce?

What information will I be asked for?

What will it cost?

Can I change the stillbirth record at later date?

What is the definition of a stillbirth?

A stillborn child is legally defined as a child born after the 24th week of pregnancy and who did not show any signs of life at any time after being born.

Why is registration necessary?

As well as being an important source of historical and statistical information, it also gives parents the opportunity to have their child officially acknowledged and to give him or her names if they so wish.

Where can I register a stillbirth?

The stillbirth must be registered at the register office in the district in which it occurred. If it is more convenient, the details may be given to your nearest registrar in the form of a declaration. Most offices operate an appointment system so it is advisable to ring in advance.

When must a stillbirth be registered?

Stillbirths should be registered within 42 days, but cannot be registered more than 3 months after it happened.

Who can register a stillbirth?

Usually it is the parent(s) who will register the stillbirth:

• the mother, or
• the father, where he is married to the mother at the time of the stillbirth or conception, or
• both parents attending together where they are not married to each other

For advice about circumstances not covered here please speak with your local register office.

What documents do I need to produce?

All you need to take is the medical certificate of stillbirth issued by the doctor or midwife present at the time.

What information will I be asked for?

The registrar will ask for the following details:

Child

• date and place of stillbirth
• name(s) and surname, if the parents wish
• sex of the child

Father

(where his information is to be recorded in the register)

• name and surname
• date and place of birth
• occupation

Mother

• name and surname
• maiden surname if previously married
• date and place of birth
• occupation
• address
• date of marriage, if married to child's father

It is vital that all the information is recorded correctly, since mistakes can be complicated to correct and may take a long time to process.

What will it cost?

There is no charge for the registration of a stillbirth. If requested by the parent(s), a certificate will cost £3.50 at the time of registration.

Can I change the stillbirth record at a later date?

If an error is discovered in a stillbirth register entry after it has been registered, the details may be amended or added to. Requests for corrections should be made at the register office where the stillbirth was registered. However, in certain circumstances, the paperwork must be sent to the Registrar General for authorisation.

Applications for corrections should be made by the person who gave the information for the registration, or by the other parent. They will be asked to provide documentary evidence to prove that an error was made at the time of registration.

For further information contact your local register office.