Stillbirth Registration
Who can register a stillbirth?
In any stillbirth registration, it is always preferable that a parent registers. Who can register depends on whether the parents are married to each other or not.
Parents married to each other
If the parents of the child were married to each other at the time of the stillbirth or conception, then either the mother or the father may register.
Parents not married to each other
If the parents were not married to each other at the time of the stillbirth or conception, then information about the father may be entered in the register only in the following circumstances:
- the mother and father go to the Register Office and sign the stillbirth register together, or
- where the father is unable to go to the register office with the mother, the father may make a Statutory Declaration acknowledging his paternity which the mother must produce to the registrar (this form may be obtained from any registrar in England or Wales).
- if the mother is unable to go to the Register Office with the father, then she may fill in a Statutory Declaration acknowledging the father's paternity, which the father must produce to the registrar.
Click on the FAQ:
What is a Statutory Declaration of Acknowledgement of Parentage?If information about the father is not recorded, it may be possible for the stillbirth to be re-registered to include his details at a later date. Contact the Registration Service using the methods on the right for more information.
If English is not the mother's or father's first language and help is needed with registering the stillbirth, it would be helpful for an English speaking relative or friend to accompany them and act as interpreter. However, the parents must register the stillbirth personally as a relative or friend cannot sign the register for them.
Alternatively, the Registrar can arrange for an interpreter to be available on the telephone.
Other people who may register stillbirths Although the majority of stillbirths are registered by the parents, sometimes neither the mother nor the father are able to do this. In these circumstances, the following people may register:
- the occupier of the house or hospital where the child was stillborn
- a person who was present at the stillbirth
- a person who is responsible for the stillborn child
- the person who found the stillborn child (where the date and place of the stillbirth are unknown).
The documents and certificates issued
You will receive two documents free of charge: a certificate of registration and a certificate for burial or cremation. You can then purchase the full Stillbirth certificate if you choose.
1. Certificate of registrationA certificate of registration will be issued free of charge to the person who registers the stillbirth. This certificate provides proof that the stillbirth has been registered. Any names given to the stillborn child will appear on the certificate. It can only be issued at the time of registration.
2. Certificate for burial or cremationThe registrar will issue a certificate for the burial (in a burial ground) or cremation (in a crematorium) of the stillborn child. This is usually a Green form which should be passed to the funeral director who is making the arrangements. A funeral cannot take place until this form is given to the burial authority or the crematorium. If there is a delay to the registration it is possible for a certificate for the burial to be issued before registration, provided the stillbirth does not need to be reported to the coroner. A certificate for cremation cannot currently be issued before the registration.
Where a post-mortem has taken place, a yellow Certificate for Cremation (Cert E) will usually be issued directly from the coroner to your funeral director. Sometimes the coroner delivers it to the registrar who, if a cremation is taking place, can pass it on to you so that you can deliver it to your funeral director.
3. Stillbirth certificate After a stillbirth has been registered, one or more certificates may be purchased at the time of registration or at any time afterwards by the mother or the father. (The father's details would need to be recorded in the register entry for him to be able to obtain a certificate).
The stillbirth certificate shows the date and place of the stillbirth; the parents’ name, address and place of birth and the medical cause of the stillbirth (if known).
For our up-to-date certificate fees, click on
Certificate Fees. You will be charged for a
Certified Copy Certificate at time of registration. Please Note: The fee for a stillbirth certificate rises as soon as your appointment is over.