How a still-birth is defined

A still-born child is legally defined as a child born after the 24th week of pregnancy who did not at any time after being born breathe or show any other signs of life (a child who breathed or showed other signs of life is considered live-born for registration purposes, irrespective of the number of weeks duration of the pregnancy).

If your pregnancy ends before the 24th week, you can get a certificate in memory of your baby.  It’s optional and free to get a certificate.  The certificate is not a legal document and you cannot use it to claim benefits. The certificate will not be added to your GP record.

Issuing a medical certificate of still-birth

When a child is still-born, the doctor or midwife will issue a medical certificate of still-birth which will be sent electronically to the Registration Service for the district in which the still-birth took place.

Every still-birth in England or Wales must be registered in the district in which it takes place.

How to book an appointment to register a still-birth

To book an appointment to register a still-birth, please call 0345 241 2489 or use the online service below.

Ordering a certificate of still-birth

Certificates of the still-birth can be ordered and paid for at the time of making the appointment.

Certificates will be posted to the family by the registrar for the district where the still-birth took place.

The registrar will also send the document to allow the burial or cremation to take place to the funeral director after the appointment.

Who can register a still-birth

Parents married or in a civil partnership with each other

If the parents of the child were married to, or were in a civil partnership with each other at the time of the still-birth (or conception), either the mother or the father may register.

Parents not married or in a civil partnership with each other

If the parents were not married to each other or in a civil partnership at the time of the still-birth (or conception), information about the father may be entered in the register if both parents attend the telephone registration appointment.

If information about the father is not recorded, it may be possible for the still-birth to be re-registered to include his details at a later date.

Although the majority of still-births are registered by the parents, sometimes neither the mother or the father are able to do this. In these circumstances, the registrar will arrange for the registration to be completed by whichever of the following people is best able to do so:

• The occupier of the house or hospital where the child was still-born
• A person who was present at the still-birth
• A person who is responsible for the still-born child
• The person who found the still-born child (where the date and place of the still-birth are unknown)

Information you will need

About the child

• Date and place of still-birth
• The forename(s) and surname, if the parents wish to name the still-born child
• Sex of the child

Father (where this information is to be entered in the register)

• Forename(s) and surname
• Date and place of birth
• Occupation at the time of the still-birth or, if not employed at that time, the last occupation

About the mother

• Forename(s) and surname
• Maiden surname if the mother is, or has been, married
• Date and place of birth
• Occupation at the time of the still-birth or, if not employed at that time, the last occupation
• Usual address at the date of the still-birth
• Date of marriage, if married to the still-born child's father at the time of the still-birth
• Number of previous children by the present husband/partner and by any former husband/partner

The person registering the still-birth should check the information very carefully before signing the register.

Certificates that will be issued

Certificate of registration

A certificate of registration will be issued, free of charge, to the person who registers the still-birth. This certificate provides proof that the still-birth has been registered. Any names given to the still-born child and entered in the register will be recorded on the certificate of registration.

Still-birth certificate

After a still-birth has been registered, one or more certificates may be issued 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). Any application for a certificate from someone who is not the mother or father should be sent to the address below, giving full details of the purpose for which the certificate is required:

General Register Office
PO Box 2
Southport PR8 2JD

Certificate for burial or cremation

The registrar will issue a certificate for the burial (in a burial ground) or cremation (in a crematorium) of the still-born child. The certificate is normally sent to the funeral director who is making the arrangements.

A funeral cannot take place until this certificate 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 (in a burial ground) to be issued before registration provided the still-birth does not need to be reported to the coroner. A certificate for cremation cannot be issued before the registration.