Stillbirth - Registering

A stillbirth is defined as a baby that is born dead after the 24th week of pregnancy, and by law 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.

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 (e.g. governor or hospital matron)
• A person present at the stillbirth.

The following details will 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 then 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 can be registered in the registrar's district in which it occurred or in the district where the mother normally lives.