What you need to do
You must register a stillbirth at any registration office in Scotland within 21 days.
You can register by phone or in person at our registration office in Paisley, or in any other registration office in Scotland.
Who can register a stillbirth
If the parents are married or in a civil partnership
If the parents are married or in a civil partnership, the stillbirth can be registered by the mother, father, or other parent.
Both parents can attend the appointment at the registrar's office or if they wish.
If the parents are not married or in a civil partnership
If the parents are not married or not in a civil partnership and they both want to be named on the stillbirth certificate, both parents need to attend the appointment at the office or over the phone.
Otherwise, the mother must register the stillbirth , but the other parent will not be named on the certificate.
If the father or other parent cannot attend the appointment, they can complete a declaration of parentage and sign it in the presence of a local councillor, justice of the peace or notary public.
The registrar can provide you with the relevant form.
If the mother cannot register the birth
In exceptional circumstances – for example, if the mother is ill – we can arrange a short postponement.
Contact us by email at registrar.cs@renfrewshire.gov.uk or phone us on 0300 300 0310 [link] if you need to postpone the registration.
How much it costs
There are no costs for registering a stillbirth or getting a stillbirth certificate.
Before you register the stillbirth
You'll need these documents and information with you for your appointment:
- the certificate of stillbirth (Form 6)
- your marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate (if this applies).
- your child’s first names and surname , if you wish
- sex, date, place and exact time of stillbirth of the child
- mother's full name, maiden surname (if this applies), occupation, and date of birth.
- father or other parent's full name, occupation, and date of birth (if this applies)
- place and date of your marriage or civil partnership (if this applies).
If you do not have the certificate of stillbirth (Form 6), we’ll ask you to sign a form of declaration as to stillbirth (Form 7).
How to book an appointment
Book by phone or email
To register a stillbirth at our registrar office, you can make an appointment by:
- email at registrar.cs@renfrewshire.gov.uk
- phone at 0300 300 0310 [link]
Your appointment can be over the phone or in person.
We’re available by phone:
- Mondays to Thursdays from 8:45am to 4:45pm
- Fridays from 8:45am to 3:55pm.
This does not include public holidays.
After you’ve registered the stillbirth
Following the registration, we’ll give you a Certificate of Registration of Stillbirth (Form 8). We can send this form to the funeral director or directly to you.
You can also ask for an extract (certificate) of the stillbirth, which is free of charge.
We’ll send you the Certificate of Registration of Stillbirth (Form 8) by first class royal mail within 24 hours (excluding weekends and public holidays).
Support if you've been affected by a stillbirth
If you’ve been affected by a stillbirth, you can get help and support from these organisations: