Please accept our sincere condolences on your loss. We realise that this is a very difficult time for you. In this section, there is information and guidance aimed at helping you through the registration process for your child. However if you would prefer to speak to a Registrar personally, please do telephone the Register Office on 01472 324861.
The Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society are a charitable organisation that offer help, support and advice to bereaved parents and their families. They can provide local and national contacts.
What is the legal definition of a still-birth?
A still-born child is legally defined as a child born after the 24th week of pregnancy who did not show any signs of life immediately after the birth.
Who should register the still-birth?
If the natural parents are married to one another, or were married at the time of conception, then either parent may attend to register.
If the natural parents are not married to one another and the fathers details are to be recorded on the still-birth certificate, both parents should attend. If this is not possible, one parent can make a 'Statutory Declaration' acknowledging parentage but there is a statutory form to use that you obtain from the Registrar. If you wish to do this please contact this office on 01472 324861 for more information.
If the parents are civil partners & had formed their legal Civil Partnership prior to the assisted conception of the child, then either parent may attend to register.
For same sex couples who are not civil partners but had entered into a parenthood agreement prior to assisted conception at an Approved Fertility Clinic within the United Kingdom, if the second parents details are to be recorded on the still-birth certificate, both parents should attend.
Although in most circumstances the parents attend to register the stillbirth, if this is not possible the law does permit for certain other people to register. They are:
- The 'occupier' of the house or hospital were the still-birth took place
- Someone who was present at the still-birth
- A person who is responsible for the still-born child
We would suggest that if the parents are unable to register the still-birth, you contact the Register Office to discuss the individual circumstances.
When and where should I go to register the still-birth?
Still-births should be registered within 42 days and before 3 months after the date it happened as the law does not permit the registration to take place after 3 months. Usually the registration takes place soon after the still-birth so that funeral arrangements may proceed.
The still-birth should be registered at the Register Office within the district in occurs. Within North East Lincolnshire, this would be at:
The Register Office, Cleethorpes Town Hall, Knoll Street, Cleethorpes, DN35 8LN
An appointment is required to register and this may be arranged by telephoning 01472 324861 Monday to Friday between 9am and 4.30pm.
What documents do I need to register a still-birth?
You will be given a Medical Certificate of Still-birth by the Doctor or Midwife present at the time.
What information will the Registrar ask me for?
The Registrar will require the following information:
- The date and place of the still-birth
- The forenames and surname that the parents may wish to name their child
- The sex of the child
If the fathers details are to be recorded on the still-birth certificate:
- The forenames and surname of the father
- His date and place of birth
- His occupation
For the mother we need:
- Her forenames and surname
- Her maiden surname if she is or has ever been married
- Her date and place of birth
- Her occupation
- Her usual address at the time of the still-birth
For married parents, we also require:
- The date of the marriage
- The number of previous children born to her present husband or any former husband
What documents or certificates will I be given?
You will be provided with a 'short version' certificate. This shows the full forenames and surname that you have given to your son or daughter. It also shows their date of birth. You will be given a form to hand to the Funeral Director so that the arrangements may go ahead. Both of these documents are issued free of charge. You will also be offered a 'full or standard version' certificate. This certificate will show all of the information recorded in the still-birth register (the child and parents information and the medical information). Within England and Wales a fee is usually charged for the 'full or standard version' certificate however, North East Lincolnshire Council waive this charge if you decide to request this certificate at the time of the registration. Parents may obtain a copy of the certificate at a later date but a fee will be payable.
Can I obtain a still-birth certificate at a later date?
Due to the sensitive nature of still-birth registration, the procedure for ordering and obtaining certificates differs from birth, death and marriage certificates. With the exception of very recent still-birth registration's, all records are held at the General Register Office and not at the local Register Office. The records date back to the 1st July 1927.
Certified copies of still-birth registration's may only be obtained by the Registrar General's consent and the following conditions apply:
- Only the natural parents of the still-born child will be issued with the certificate
- Siblings of the still-born child may apply if both the parents are deceased. The names, dates and places of death for both parents will be required.
Further information may be obtained by contacting the General Register Office:
General Register Office, Southport, PR8 2WJ telephone 0845 6037788
More information is available on the Direct Gov web site.