Registering a Still Birth

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, when still born at 24 weeks and over, 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 £4 is payable at the time of registration. Certificates issued at a later date cost £7 or £10.

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, contact 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.

Last updated 23/05/2012