Stillbirths

Stillbirth is when a pregnancy goes beyond 24 weeks, but the baby dies before it is born. By law stillbirths must be registered within 42 days.

The still birth can be registered by:

  • mother of the baby
  • father of the baby (if parents are married)

Most stillbirths are registered by parents. If the mother or father cannot attend the following people can register a stillbirth:

  • the occupier of the house or hospital where the stillbirth took place
  • someone who was present at the stillbirth
  • someone who is responsible for the stillborn child
  • the person who found the stillborn child (where the date and place of the stillbirth are unknown).

If the parents are not married, but want the father's details to be entered in the register, both the mother and father will need to attend the appointment and sign the stillbirth register together.

If the parents are not married to each other and the father does not attend, his name can be entered:

  • if the father is unable to go to the register office with the mother, but the parents would like his details included, he can make a statutory declaration on Form 16 (which the registrar can give you).
  • if the mother is unable to go to the register office with the father, she may make a statutory declaration acknowledging the father's paternity on the Form 16. The father gives this to the registrar.

If the father's details are not recorded in the stillbirth register, it may be possible to add his details by re-registering 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 occupation of the mother and father.

The registrar will then give you a certificate of burial or cremation and a certificate of stillbirth registration.

Copies of stillbirth certificate are £4 each.

The stillbirth can be registered in the borough in which it occurred or in the borough where the mother normally lives.