Registering a stillbirth

A stillbirth is when a baby is born dead after 24 weeks of pregnancy. If the baby dies before 24 weeks, it is called a miscarriage. Find out more about miscarriages on the NHS website.

If you have a stillbirth, you will need to register the stillbirth within 42 days.

The stillbirth will need to be registered at the Register office. It must be in the borough where the stillbirth took place unless you live in Harrow.

Registering a stillbirth in Harrow

When you register the stillbirth, you must provide:

  • the certificate issued by the doctor at the time of the stillbirth
  • the date and place of the stillbirth
  • the first name and surname of the baby
  • father's full name
  • father's date and place of birth
  • father's occupation
  • mother's full name and maiden name if applicable
  • mother's date and place of birth
  • mother's address
  • date of marriage - if the parents are married.

Make a booking by contacting our Register office.

Who can register the stillbirth?

If the baby's parents are married or in a civil partnership, either the mother or father can register.

The mother can register if:

  • the baby’s parents are not married or in a civil partnership
  • they cannot trace the father or he is unknown

If neither parent can register, the following can:

  • someone who was present at the stillbirth
  • someone responsible for the stillborn child
  • the person who may have found the stillborn child. (If the date and place of the stillbirth are unknown).

Stillbirths outside London Borough of Harrow

If you live in Harrow, but the stillbirth happened outside Harrow, you can register it in Harrow. This includes stillbirths at Northwick Park Hospital.

Our registrars will forward the details to the borough the stillbirth took place. That borough will then send you a certificate.

The cost of registering a stillbirth

It costs £11.00 to register a stillborn. The fee is payable by either Debit or Credit card.

The fee to make a declaration is £11.00. It is payable by either Debit or Credit card.