How to Register a Still Birth

A still born child is legally defined a child born after the 24th week of pregnancy who did not at any time after being born show any signs of life.

A child who breathed or showed any other signs of life is considered live-born irrespective of the number of weeks duration of the pregnancy.

When a child is still born the doctor or midwife attending will sign a certificate of still birth. The person registering the still birth must take this certificate with them when they register.

Still births should be registered in the district in which they took place within 42 days. A still birth cannot be registered more than 3 months after it occurred.

Who can Register a Still Birth?

• either parent if they are married to each other
• if the parents are not married to each other both parents must attend if the father’s details are to be included
• if neither parent is available the Register Office should be contacted on the above number

Information included in the Register Entry

• date and place of the stillbirth
• child’s name
• child’s sex
• father’s name, date and place of birth and occupation (if his details are to be included)
• mother’s name, maiden surname (if appropriate) date and place of birth, occupation and usual address
• some statistical information will be recorded, including the date of the marriage (if applicable) and the number of previous children the mother has had

What certificates will be issued ?

• Certificate of registration - this is issued free to prove that the still birth has been recorded. Any names given to the child will be recorded on the certificate
• Still birth certificate – certificates can be purchased at the time of registration
• Certificate for burial or cremation – This is normally passed to the funeral director who is making the funeral arrangements