How to register a Stillbirth

Any stillbirth which occurs in Scotland must be registered within twenty one days by a Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages.

The stillbirth can be registered in any Registration Office in Scotland. Scottish Borders Council Registration Offices do not generally operate an appointments system. However, in the case of a stillbirth, we appreciate that it may be easier for the parent(s) to make an appointment out of hours.

Please contact an office to make an appointment out of hours.

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.

Name

You may, if you wish, give a name to the baby at the time of registration. If difficulties arise with any aspect of the registration please contact the Chief Registrar online or phone 01835 824000.

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 applicable).

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 the stillbirth is registered by one of the parents, an extract of the entry in the register can be requested.

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.