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.
How to register a stillbirth
The register office will contact you to make an appointment to register the stillbirth once they have received the medical certificate from the hospital, bereavement team or GP.
Find out where our register offices are.
You should register the stillbirth at the area where the stillbirth happened. You can check which council covers what area on GOV.UK.
What to bring to the appointment
It helps us if you bring something to the appointment that shows your full name, such as:
- your passport or driving licence
- 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
What documents you'll get
The registrar will give you a certificate of registration.
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.
The form which allows the burial or cremation to take place will be scanned and emailed to your chosen funeral director.