Register a still birth

All still born babies have to be officially registered within 42 days of their birth. This gives you an opportunity to have your baby officially acknowledged and have their name recorded.

Who can register a still birth

If you’re married, either parent can register. If you’re not married, both the mother and father should attend.

Visit GOV.UK to find out who can register a still birth including what to do if neither parent can attend or the baby was conceived through fertility treatment.

Book an appointment

If your baby was born in Kent and Bexley you can register with us.

Book an appointment

Or call 03000 41 51 51 for Kent and 03000 41 52 52 for Bexley.

If your baby was born in Kent or Bexley and you can’t visit us, contact a birth registrar where you live. The information will be sent to us, and we will register your baby's birth. This is called registration by declaration.

If a still birth is registered by declaration, the birth certificate and form for the funeral director will be sent to you by post, normally within 1 week.

We unfortunately do not register for births within Medway, the London Borough of Bromley or Greenwich.

Registration fees

The registration service is free, however there is a charge for extra still birth certificates.

What happens at registration

When the registrar calls you, they will need to know some information about your baby. You will need to give the following:

• place and date of birth of your baby
• if you wish to name your baby, their name and surname
• sex of your baby
• your names, place of birth and job
• mother's maiden name (if applicable).

This information will be recorded on the still birth certificate.

You will receive

At registration you will receive:

• a certificate of registration - this provides proof that the still birth has been registered. The certificate includes any:
  • names that were given to your baby
  • the date of the still birth
  • the registration district in which the still birth occurred
• a still birth certificate - this is an exact copy of the entry in the register
• a certificate for burial or cremation - this is the certificate you need to give to the funeral director arranging the funeral.

Get support

You can get help and advice about stillbirths and baby loss from charities:

• Still Birth and Neonatal Death Society (SANDS)
• Child Death Helpline
• Child Bereavement UK
• Tommys.

Visit GOV.UK to find out about financial support as well as taking time off work.