If a child is stillborn in Scotland, the stillbirth must be registered within 21 days.
Parents can register the stillbirth at any registration office in Scotland.
Making an appointment
Stillbirth registrations can now be done by phone.
To make an appointment, call our contact centre on 03452 777 778 and leave your details.
A member of the registration team will then get back to you to arrange a suitable time for your phone appointment to register the stillbirth.
We can arrange an in-person appointment if you need one.
Who can register the stillbirth
If parents are married to each other:
either the mother or father/second parent can register the stillbirth.
If parents are not married to each other:
the mother should register the stillbirth herself, or
if the father/second parent’s name is to be entered in the register, both parents should be available during the telephone appointment. If the appointment is in-person, both should attend the office.
Documents required
Please have the following to hand at your appointment:
birth certificates or passports of the child’s parents
marriage certificate (if the parents are married to one another)
The Certificate of Stillbirth (Form 6) issued by the hospital will be emailed directly to the registrars' office in Angus in readiness for the registration.
After registration
We will send the Certificate of Registration of Stillbirth (Form 8) directly to the funeral director dealing with the funeral arrangements.
If you need a Stillbirth Certificate, we can issue one free of charge if you apply within one month of the registration taking place.
More information
Get more information on registering a stillbirth at the National Records of Scotland.