Stillbirth Registration
We understand that it is very difficult to have to face
registering a stillbirth at a time of great personal distress.
These pages are intended to give you help and guidance and offer
some assistance during such a highly personal and traumatic time.
If you would rather speak to someone personally, please contact
your local Register Office.
The information included on these pages is for general guidance
purposes only and is not a complete or exhaustive explanation of
current Stillbirth Laws.
What is the definition of a stillbirth?
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.
Why is registration necessary?
Stillbirth registration began on 1 July 1927 to help protect
infant life. 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/her names,
if they wish to.
How soon should the stillbirth be registered ?
Every stillbirth in England or Wales must be registered in the
district in which it takes place, normally within 42 days. A
stillbirth may not be registered more than 3 months after it
occurred. Information for the registration is given to the
registrar by the person registering the stillbirth. The
information, is recorded in the stillbirth register and the person
registering the stillbirth signs the record.
Please contact your local Register Office before attending to
register as you may need an appointment, please allow 30 minutes
for the registration.
Who should register a stillbirth?
If the parents of the child are married to each other at the
time of the birth or conception, either parent can register the
stillbirth.
If the parents are not married to each other at the time of the
birth or conception, the father’s details can be recorded if both
parents attend together, if this is not possible, please telephone
your local Register Office for advice.
If the father’s details are not entered at the time of
registration, it may be possible for this to be done at a later
date. Please contact your local Register Office for more
information.
Although the majority of stillbirths are registered by parents,
in exceptional circumstances the registration may be undertaken by
someone else. Please contact your local Register Office to
discuss.
Where do I go?
The stillbirth needs to be registered at the Register Office in the
District in which the stillbirth occurred. You can go to a
different office if it is more convenient and complete the relevant
paperwork in the form of a “declaration”. The declaration will then
be forwarded to the registrar in the district where it occurred,
where it will be registered.
The necessary paperwork and certificates requested will be
issued to you by post. Doing things this way, may mean a slight
delay to the funeral since it is not possible for a burial or
cremation to take place until after the registrar has issued the
necessary paperwork.