What if I have a stillbirth?
Any stillbirth which occurs in Scotland must be registered within twenty one days by the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages.
Where can I register a stillbirth?
If a stillbirth occurs in Scotland, then you are required to register the stillbirth in Scotland.
As from 1 January 2007, you can register a stillbirth at any registration office in Scotland.
You can register a stillbirth in any of the registration offices in Falkirk if the stillbirth occurred in Scotland.
Details of the local registration offices can be found here|.
Who can register a stillbirth in Scotland?
A child's father or mother has a duty to register the stillbirth. In the case of the death or inability of the father or mother the following persons can register the stillbirth:
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any relative of the mother or father, if he is married to the mother, being a relative who has knowledge of the stillbirth
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the occupier of the premises in which the stillbirth, to the knowledge of that occupier, took place
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any person present at the stillbirth
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a father who is not married to the mother can only register the stillbirth and be named in the register as the father if:
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he jointly signs the register with the mother;
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he and the mother sign declarations (these are available from the registrar) that he is the father; or
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a court declares that he is the father and the mother registers the stillbirth.
What documents should I take to the registrar?
You should take with you:
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the certificate of stillbirth
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the marriage certificate of the child's parents
If no certificate of stillbirth is produced the registration may proceed after the informant has signed a form of declaration as to stillbirth.
When the registration is complete the registrar will give you, free of charge:
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a certificate of registration of stillbirth for production to the person in charge of the burial ground or crematorium
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an extract of the entry in the register(if one of the parents registers the stillbirth and requests it).
What if the stillbirth occurs abroad?
You should register the stillbirth according to local regulations in the country concerned and obtain a certificate of the stillbirth. There is no facility available to register the stillbirth with the British Consul in that country.