Registering a Stillbirth
What if I have a Stillbirth?
Any stillbirth which occurs in Scotland must be registered within twenty-one days by the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages. The law allows a stillbirth to be registered in any registration district in Scotland. You can obtain the address of the local registrar from the hospital, the doctor, the telephone book (see under 'Registration of Births, Death and Marriages'), the
Directory of Registrars in Scotland (172 Kb pdf file) or using our new system '
GROSLocate' detailed below.
GROSLocate - Evaluation
GROSLocate allows you to find all local registration offices in Scotland, along with contact details and directions.
The opening hours of registration offices varies between local authorities and some operate an appointments system. You should therefore check with the relevant local authority before attending an office.
Who can Register a Stillbirth in Scotland?
A child's father or mother has a duty to register the stillbirth. In the case of the death or inability of the father or mother the following persons can register the stillbirth:
- Any relative of the mother or father, if he is married to the mother, being a relative who has knowledge of the stillbirth;
- The occupier of the premises in which the stillbirth, to the knowledge of that occupier, took place;
- Any person present at the stillbirth;
A father who is not married to the mother can only register the stillbirth and be named in the register as the father if:
- He jointly signs the register with the mother;
- He and the mother sign declarations (these are available from the registrar) that he is the father; or
- A court declares that he is the father and the mother registers the stillbirth.
What Documents should I take to the Registrar?
You should take with you:
- The certificate of stillbirth;
- The marriage certificate of the child's parents.
If no certificate of stillbirth is produced the registration may proceed after the informant has signed a form of declaration as to stillbirth.
When the registration is complete the registrar will give you, free of charge:
- A certificate of registration of stillbirth for production to the person in charge of the burial ground or crematorium;
- If one of the parents registers the stillbirth and requests it, an extract of the entry in the register.
What if the Stillbirth Occurs Abroad?
You should register the stillbirth according to local regulations in the country concerned and obtain a certificate of the stillbirth. There is no facility available to register the stillbirth with the British Consul in that country.
