When you need to register a stillbirth
If your baby is stillborn at any time after 24 weeks of pregnancy, the birth must be registered within 5 days.
This must be done before you can have a burial or cremation for your baby.
We will work with your midwife to guide you through the registration process.
How to register a stillbirth
Registering a stillbirth is required by law.
It is a permanent record that gives parents the opportunity to:
- have your child officially acknowledged
- give your child a name
We can come to the Maternity Unit whilst you’re still a patient or you can make a private appointment with us at the Office of the Superintendent Registrar.
The Maternity Unit will provide you with all the supporting documentation you need for the registration of your baby's stillbirth.
You can register:
- your baby’s name
- details of their birth
- your details as parents
A registration will be made in the Register of Stillbirths and will include a cause of the stillbirth if it is known.
One or both parents will need to sign the Stillbirth Register and we will help you do this.
The Superintendent Registrar will also:
- give you a Certificate of Stillbirth
- authorise the burial or cremation of your child
- inform the relevant government departments of the stillbirth
The Superintendent Registrar waives all fees relating to the registration of a stillbirth, including the certificate of stillbirth.
Ordering copies of a stillbirth certificate
Due to their sensitive nature, copies of a stillbirth certificate will only be issued to the mother or father of a stillborn child.
Siblings can apply if their mother and father are no longer alive. You may need to provide a copy of their death certificate.
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