When to register
The birth of a stillborn baby should be registered within 42 days of the date of the birth. It cannot be registered if more than 3 months have elapsed.
Where to register
A stillborn baby must be registered with the Registrar of Births and Deaths for the district where the birth occurred. (For details of where to register in Rotherham see 
opening hours/making an appointment/ outstations.)
If you prefer, you can go to any other Registrar's office in England and Wales to give the details of the stillborn baby, but the birth will not be registered there. The details will be forwarded by post to the Registrar for the district where the baby was born and he/she will complete the registration from the information you have supplied. This is called registering a stillbirth by declaration.
Once the baby has been registered the Registrar will post out a short birth certificate free of charge. If you require a full birth certificate (showing parents' names) a fee of £3.50 is payable. See documents/certificates/cost for more information.
Who can register
If the parents are married to each other when the baby is born, either parent may register the stillbirth.
If the parents are not married to each other when the baby is born, and they want the father's details to be included in the register, both parents should attend the Register Office together to register the stillbirth. (If it is not possible for both parents to attend together, telephone the Register Office for advice about what to do.)
If the parents are not married to each other, there is normally no requirement to have the father's details in the register. If his details are not entered at the time of registration it may be possible for this to be done at a later date.
Information the registrar will need to know
At the Register Office you will be seen in private by a Registrar and asked for the information to be recorded in the stillbirth register. You will be asked to check the information entered in the stillbirth register carefully and sign to say that it is correct. The registration will take about 20 minutes. You will be asked for the following information: -
About the baby
the date of the birth and where the baby was born
the baby's names and surname (if you have decided on a name and would like the name to be recorded)
the sex of the baby
About the mother
the mother's first name(s) and surname (and maiden surname if she is or has been married)
the mother's occupation
the mother's date and place of birth
the address of the mother at the time of the birth
About the father (where these details are to be entered in the register)
the father's first name(s) and surname
the father's occupation
the father's date and place of birth
the father's address, if different from the mother's
Where the parents are married to each other at the time of the birth
the date of marriage of the parents
the number of other children the mother has had by present or previous marriages.
Documents/Certificates/Cost
Documents you need to bring
Usually, the doctor who has been looking after the mother will issue a medical certificate of stillbirth giving the reasons why the baby has been stillborn. You will need to bring this with you to the Register Office when you attend. If there is a problem about obtaining a medical certificate, please contact us for advice. See opening hours/making an appointment/outstations
Documents you will be given
Once the baby has been registered you will be given a short birth certificate free of charge.
You will also be given a white form to allow the baby's funeral to take place. Usually, the Funeral Director will collect this form from our office for you.
Certificates/Cost
There is no charge for the registration of a stillborn baby.
You are issued with one short birth certificate free of charge. If you wish, you can pay for a full birth certificate (an exact copy of the stillbirth register showing parents' names). This costs £3.50. It is possible to get this certificate at a later date, but it can only be issued to the mother or to the father if his details are entered in the stillbirth register.
Rotherham Register Office can also supply you with a commemorative folder for the full birth certificate, which includes a space for your baby's photograph. This costs £2.00.
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