Stillbirth Registration

All stillbirths, a child who was not live-born after the 24th week of pregnancy, have to be registered within 21 days, with a Registrar of Birth, Death and Marriages.

The law now allows for a stillbirth which occurred in Scotland to be registered at any registration office within Scotland.

In 2022, the law changed, allowing stillbirths to be registered remotely (over the telephone); however you can still arrange a face-to-face appointment with the registration office.

The hospital will email the appropriate documentation (known as a Form 6) directly to your chosen registration office.

It is the responsibility of the mother or the father, if married to each other, to register the stillbirth.

Where the parents are not married to each other, and both parents’ names are to appear on the stillbirth registration, both parents have to be present for the registration.

After registration you will receive a stillbirth certificate free of charge from the Registrar.

The Registrar will email the appropriate documentation (known as a “Form 8”) to your chosen Funeral Director to enable you to proceed with the arrangements for burial/cremation.