Registering a stillbirth

We know this may be a very difficult time. We are here to help you register a stillbirth with care and clarity, and we will guide you through each step. A stillbirth that happens in Scotland must be registered within 21 days. You can normally do this by phone, or in person if you prefer.

If you would like to speak to someone at any stage, please phone 0303 123 1015 and choose option 7.

Where and when you can register

If the stillbirth happened in Scotland, you can register it at any registration office in Scotland. We cannot register a stillbirth that happened outside Scotland, even if you usually live here.

You should register within 21 days. In special situations, we may be able to agree a short delay. Please phone us to discuss this.

Most registrations are completed over the phone. If you would prefer to come to our Registration Office at Council Headquarters in Hamilton, please contact us to arrange this.

What we need before the appointment

Before we can start the registration, the midwife or hospital doctor must email the Medical Certificate of Cause of Stillbirth to the registration office you plan to use.

If you are registering in South Lanarkshire, the certificate should be emailed to licensing@southlanarkshire.gov.uk. The original paper copy must also be posted to our registration office in Hamilton at Licensing and Registration Section, Floor 11, Council Offices, Almada Street, Hamilton, ML3 0AA.

Please ask the doctor or midwife to include your contact details if possible. This helps us reach you quickly if we need to.

During the registration

Once we receive the medical certificate, we will begin the registration. We may need to contact you more than once to complete the process.

If the parents are not married or in a civil partnership, both parents must be available at the same time on speaker phone so we can speak to you together.

Please do not send the medical certificate to more than one registration office.

Arrange an appointment or get help

You can phone 0303 123 1015 and choose option 7 or email us licensing@southlanarkshire.gov.uk to arrange an appointment or ask for support. We will talk things through at your pace and explain what happens next.