Registering a stillbirth

A stillbirth is defined as a baby that is born after the 24th week of pregnancy, who did not at any time after being born breathe or show any other signs of life. By law every stillbirth must be registered.

A person wishing to register a stillbirth in England and Wales must go to the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages as soon as possible with a medical certificate of stillbirth. This is normally issued by the doctor, and should be given to the registrar.

If no doctor or midwife was present, and no doctor or midwife examined the body, you must complete a form which the registrar will give to you.

For information and advice about the process of registering a stillbirth, use our online e-form (secure).

Who can register a stillbirth?

The stillbirth can be registered by any of the following people:

• The mother of the baby
• The father of the baby (of a legitimate child only)
• Any relative of either parent of the baby who has knowledge of the stillbirth
• The occupier of the premises where the stillbirth took place (eg governor or hospital matron)
• A person present at the stillbirth.

What details should be supplied?

The following details need to be supplied to the registrar:

• Full name of the baby
• Date and place of death
• Full names and occupations of the mother and father.

The registrar will give you a certificate of burial or cremation and a certificate of registration of stillbirth. The registrar will write the name of the baby on these certificates if the name is recorded in the register.

It is also possible to get certified copies of the entry of the stillbirth.

The stillbirth should be registered in the district in which it occurred. If this is inconvenient the information for registration may be given to a registrar in another district.

Further information

Additional information about registering a stillbirth can be found on the General Register Office website.