Registering a birth

Registering a stillbirth is important as it gives parents the opportunity to have their baby officially acknowledged and to give their baby a name if they wish to.

A stillbirth should be registered within 42 days.

If the stillbirth was in South Tyneside, you can register at South Tyneside Register Office.

If not, you can register the stillbirth by declaration. We will send your details to the correct office and any certificates will be posted to you.

There is no charge for registering a stillbirth.

Make an appointment

Phone the South Tyneside Register Office to make an appointment or talk to someone personally.

You will be given a certificate of registration.

This certificate provides proof that the stillbirth has taken place.

It includes:

• any names given
• the date of the stillbirth

What you need to bring

You need to bring the medical certificate of stillbirth issued by the doctor or midwife present at the time.

It will help to bring documents with the correct spelling of your names and addresses to your appointment. This includes:

• Passport
• Driving licence
• Gas, electricity or water bill (utility bill)
• Birth certificate
• Marriage certificate

If these documents are not available, you can still register the stillbirth. 

What documents you will get

The registrar will issue a certificate for the burial or cremation of the stillborn child.

You should pass this on to your funeral director. 

No funeral for the child can take place without this certificate.

Who can register a stillbirth

If the baby's parents are married or in a civil partnership with each other, either the mother or father / second parent can register.

If the parents are not married or in a civil partnership with each other, the mother can register the stillbirth on her own.

If one parent is unable to attend the registration, the absent parent can make a statutory declaration confirming that they are a parent.  

Please contact the register office for more information.

Request a baby loss certificate

Parents who have lost a child before 24 weeks can now request a baby loss certificate in memory of the baby.

This certificate is optional, parents do not need to get one if they don't want to.

For more information including how to request a certificate, see GOV.UK: Request a baby loss certificate