When a child is stillborn a doctor or midwife will send a medical certificate of stillbirth to the Register Office. They will advise you when this has been done.
A stillbirth should be registered within 42 days of the date of birth.
Book an appointment
To register a stillbirth, contact: Calderdale Register Office.
Who can register
If the parents were married or in a civil partnership with each other at the time of birth (or conception):
- either one can register.
If not, then:
- If the mother wants the father's details to be in the register, both parents must attend together to register.
- If the father cannot go to the Register Office with the mother, but the mother still want his details included:
- He can make a statutory declaration, which the mother must give to the Registrar.
- If the mother cannot go to the Register Office with the father:
- She can make a statutory declaration to acknowledge the father's paternity, which the father must give to the Registrar.
If the father's details are not recorded in the stillbirth register:
- It may be possible for the stillbirth to be registered again at a later date.
- Please contact the Register Office for details.
Although parents register the majority of stillbirths, sometimes neither the mother nor father can attend. If this is the case, please contact the Register Office.
When and where to register
The stillbirth will normally be registered at the Register Office for the district in which it happened.
What we will ask you for
For the Child
- Date and place of stillbirth.
- Forenames and surname. (If you wish to name the stillborn child.)
- Sex of the child.
For the Father/Parent
- Forename(s) and surname.
- Date and place of birth.
- Occupation.
For the Mother
- Forename(s) and surname.
- Maiden surname, if you are or have been married.
- Date and place of birth.
- Occupation.
- Usual address at the time of the stillbirth.
- Date of marriage or civil partnership (if this applies).
- Number of previous children by the present spouse and any former spouse.
Note: It is most important that the details recorded in the death register are correct. The registrar will check the information you give carefully with you. Once a registration is complete, a fee is payable to amend any incorrect information that has been recorded.
Documents you will be given
- A certificate of registration;
- and a form for the funeral director.
Note: Both these are issued free of charge. You can also buy a full copy of the entry at the appointment.
Baby Loss Certificates
If you lose a baby before 24 weeks, in memory of your baby, request a baby loss certificate (GOV.UK).
Historic Stillbirth Certificates
Due to the sensitive nature, the process to order a copy certificates differs from others.
The General Register Office holds records of all stillbirths registered in England and Wales since 1st July 1927. (Apart from very recent events.) You can only get certified copies of these records with the Registrar General's consent.
These conditions apply:
- A certificate will only be issued to the mother or father of a stillborn child. (The father's details must be recorded in the register for him to get one).
- Siblings may apply if their mother and father are no longer alive. They should send details of their parents' dates of death with their application.
Please note: You can only get these from the General Register Office in Southport.
For more about this, phone or write to General Register Office (stillbirths):
- Email: registering.still-births@ons.gov.uk.
- Phone: 0300 123 1837.
- Address: General Register Office, Room D209 Smedley Hydro, Trafalgar Road, Southport. PR8 2HH.
For details of how to register a stillbirth in Scotland or Northern Ireland, visit: