Registering a Stillbirth

Contact Registrars

Phone 0141 287 7654

Registering a stillbirth can be a stressful and upsetting time. This webpage will provide information and guidance to help you through the registration process.

Remote registration service

Stillbirth registrations now take place remotely (over the phone). The service operates Monday - Friday 9.00am until 3.30pm. See below for further information on the process for registering a stillbirth.

What do I need to know?

In Scotland a stillbirth must be registered within 21 days.

If the event took place out with Scotland it must be registered in the country the stillbirth took place.

Who can register a stillbirth?

If the baby's parents are married to one another, or in a registered civil partnership with each other, either parent may register the stillbirth.

If the baby's parents are not married to one another, or in a registered civil partnership with each other, the mother must register the stillbirth. If the father/parent's name is also to be included on the registration documents, then both parents should attend the Registration together. If this is not possible, please contact the Registrar for advice.

For more information please visit NRS - Stillbirths.

What documents do I need to register a stillbirth?

To assist the registration, it would be helpful if you had the following available;

The certificate of stillbirth (Form 6) issued by the doctor or midwife who was present at the time of the event (this should already be with the Registrar prior to the registration)
The stillbirth registration card issued by the hospital or midwife
Your marriage/civil partnership certificate (if applicable/available)
Your birth certificate(s) (if available)

What is the process for registering a stillbirth?

Before the process of stillbirth registration can begin; you must be in possession of a Medical Certificate of Stillbirth (Form 6). It is the responsibility of the midwife, or certifying Doctor to email this certificate/form through to the Registrar in the local area, as identified by the informant (The person who registers the stillbirth). The Form 6 should only be sent to one local Registry Office, usually the office in the district where the stillbirth took place or the office nearest the address of the parent/s.

If the stillbirth is to be registered in Glasgow then this should be emailed to genreg@glasgow.gov.uk.

It would greatly assist the registration process if contact details of the informant e.g. a family member could be included when the Form 6 is sent to the Registry Office. If no contact details are provided it is then the responsibility of the informant to contact the Registration Office to start proceedings/initiate the process.

Thereafter, the original copy of the Form 6 should be posted to the Registration office by the midwife or certifying Doctor at:

Registration Office, Mail Room, City Chambers, George Square, Glasgow, G2 1DU

As soon as the Form 6 is received by the registration office, the process of registration can begin, and a member of the registration team will contact you. This is normally within 2-3 days of receiving the paperwork.

Registrations are dealt with in the order in which the paperwork is received.

Please note it may take more than a single phone call with the informant to finalise the registration process.

What documents will I receive once the registration is completed?

Certificate of Registration of Still-birth (Form 8). This is required by the Funeral Director for burial or cremation purposes. If the Funeral Undertaker's details are known/confirmed at the time of the registration, this form is normally sent to them directly by email.
An extract of still-birth, if so desired

Memorial Book of Pregnancy and Baby Loss Prior to 24 weeks

National Records of Scotland (NRS) have recently launched the Memorial Book of Pregnancy and Baby Loss Prior to 24 weeks.

The "Memorial Book" is a commemorative record held by NRS for those that wish to record the loss of a pregnancy which took place before the 24^th week, where there were no signs of life when the loss occurred.

Along with an entry in the book, those eligible who have experienced a loss will be able to apply for a commemorative certificate which is intended to give recognition and may provide comfort to those who want to record their loss.

The service is free of charge and completely voluntary.

There is no time limit on making an application for an entry in the Memorial Book and applications may be submitted for a historical or a recent loss.

Applicants should be aware that a certificate from the Memorial Book has no legal status and cannot be used as evidence of the loss.

For more information and to apply, please visit - https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/registration/memorial-book-of-pregnancy-and-baby-loss-prior-to-24-weeks.