Register a stillbirth

When to register a stillbirth

If your baby was born after the 24th week of pregnancy but did not breathe or show any signs of life, you will need to register a stillbirth.

You must register your baby’s stillbirth within 42 days. This gives parents an opportunity to have their child officially acknowledged and have their name recorded.

This has to happen before you’re able to have a burial or cremation for your baby.

If your baby was born before 24 weeks and showed no signs of life, this is legally classed as a miscarriage, and you do not need to register it.

If your baby showed signs of life after birth and then died you will need to register this as a birth and a death within five days.