Register a still birth

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.

Who can register a still birth?

If the baby’s parents are married or in a civil partnership, either the mother or father can register.

The mother can register if:

• the baby’s parents are not married or in a civil partnership
• the father cannot be traced or is unknown

If the father registers the stillbirth and the parents are not married or in a civil partnership, the mother will need to make a ‘signed declaration’ (the register office can explain how to do this).

If both parents want the father’s name in the register and they are not married or in a civil partnership, the register office can tell you what you need to do.

If the child was conceived as a result of fertility treatment

The following people can register the stillbirth:

• The mother
• The father,if he was married to or in a civil partnership with the mother at the time of treatment
• The second female parent, if she was married to or in a civil partnership with the mother at the time of treatment.

If neither parent can register

The following people can register the stillbirth:

• the occupier of the hospital or house where the stillbirth took place
• someone who was present at the stillbirth
• someone who is responsible for the stillborn child
• the person who found the stillborn child, if the date and place of the stillbirth are unknown