If you've experienced the loss of your baby, we go through how to register their stillbirth and what support is available.
What a stillbirth is
A stillbirth is when a baby is born dead after 24 weeks of pregnancy.
If the baby dies before 24 completed weeks, it's known as a miscarriage or late foetal loss.
Find out more about stillbirth on the NHS website.
When you should register a stillbirth
The law requires you to register a stillbirth within 42 days, unless a coroner is investigating. In most coroner cases, the stillbirth still needs to be registered within 42 days, but you’ll be advised by them.
How to register a stillbirth
Where to register
You need to register the stillbirth in the district where it happened. This might be different to the area you live in. If this was in the borough of Camden (for example at University College Hospital, Royal Free Hospital), you’ll need to make an appointment to visit our register office at Camden Town Hall, 5 Judd Street, WC1H 9JE.
If the stillbirth happened elsewhere, you should contact the appropriate register office.
Who can attend
As the parent of the baby, you’ll need to attend. If parents are legally married or in a civil partnership, only one parent has to attend.
If the parents are not legally married or in a civil partnership, the mother should attend. If the father wishes to appear on the certificate, he must also attend the appointment. You’re welcome to bring a friend or family member for support.
What you should bring
When you visit for your appointment, you need to bring formal ID for you, such as passport or birth certificate
The hospital will send us the medical certificate of the stillbirth. Call us on 020 7974 4444 to check we’ve received this before you book your appointment.
If you need to bring anything else, we’ll tell you when we confirm your appointment.
What happens at the appointment
At your appointment, you’ll meet with one of our registrars, whose role is to keep official records. You’ll meet with them in a private room.
They need to record details about you and your baby. You’ll be asked:
your baby’s full name (if you’ve given them one)
your full name
your address
your occupation
your date of birth and where you were born
whether the parents of the baby were married at the time of the stillbirth
What happens next
After you’ve registered your stillbirth, you’ll be given:
a certificate for burial or cremation
a certificate of registration of stillbirth
full version of stillbirth certificate
Baby loss certificate
If you’ve had a miscarriage before 24 weeks, you can get a baby loss certificate in memory of your baby.
You do not have to get one, but it’s available if you want one. There’s no time limit on requesting a certificate.
Find out how to request a baby loss certificate on GOV.UK.
Bereavement support
No matter your circumstances, there’s emotional and practical support available after experiencing the loss of your baby. Find out more about bereavement support available for you and your family.
If you need help
If you want to speak to us about the process or you want advice if your stillbirth has been referred to the coroner, you can contact us:
by phone on 020 7974 4444, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
by email at crs@camden.gov.uk