A stillbirth should be registered within 42 days.
Sometimes a stillbirth can be registered after 42 days - the register office can explain when this can happen. You can name the baby in the register.
Who can register the stillbirth
See who can register the stillbirth on GOV.UK.
What to bring to the appointment
You must bring the medical certificate of stillbirth to your appointment. Your GP, hospital doctor or bereavement office will normally give you this.
It helps us if you bring something to the appointment that shows your full name, such as:
- your passport or driving licence
- a bank statement
- a gas, water or electric bill
- your marriage or civil partnership certificate
What you'll need to tell us
When registering the stillbirth, we'll ask you for the:
- baby's place and date of stillbirth
- baby's names, if you want to name the child
- baby's sex
- parents' names and any previous names
- parents' addresses
- parents' places and dates of birth
- parents' jobs
- date of parents' marriage or civil partnership, if any
How to register a stillbirth
You must book an appointment with us to register a stillbirth.
You should register the stillbirth at the area where the stillbirth happened. You can check which council covers what area on GOV.UK.
What documents you'll get
The registrar will keep the medical certificate of stillbirth and give you a:
- certificate of registration
- form that allows burial or cremation, which you can give to whoever is organising your baby's funeral, such as the funeral director or hospital
There's no charge to register a stillbirth unless you'd like a copy of the full entry in the register, which costs £12.50.