Community directory

How do I register a stillbirth?

A still-born child is legally defined as a child born after the 24th week of pregnancy who did not, at anytime after being born, breathe or show any other signs of life.

This is always a difficult time but hopefully the detailed instructions below should help make this very sad task slightly easier.

Is there a time limit to register a stillborn child?

Stillbirths must be registered within 42 days. You can do this at any Hertfordshire Registration Office. (Please see the link on the right of this page called Registration Offices in Herts.) On attending the Register Office you will be asked to provide the medical certificate of stillbirth issued by the doctor or midwife.

What information will I be asked for?

The registrar will ask for the following details:

Child

• The date and place of the stillbirth
• The forename(s) and surname, if the parents wish to name the child
• The sex of the child

Father

(Where his details are to be entered into the register)
If unmarried to the mother, father must attend with her for these details to be entered.

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

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 stillbirth or, if not employed at that time, the last occupation
• Usual address at the date of the stillbirth
• Date of marriage, if married to the child's father at the time of the stillbirth
• Number of previous children by the present husband and by any former husband

Can I change any details at a later stage?

Each entry into the stillbirth register is an historic entry of the facts as they were at the time of the stillbirth. If errors are found at a later date, the law allows details to be changed or added. Corrections should be arranged with the register office where the stillbirth was registered - but sometimes the paperwork needs to be sent to the Corrections and Re-registration Section at the General Register Office (GRO) in Southport for authorisation.