Registering a stillbirth
As we respond to coronavirus (COVID-19), we are streamlining our resources to prioritise delivery of essential services. It has been agreed that following will remain open to the public:
Church Street, Newtownards - for Bereavement Services and Burial Administration only
Town Hall Bangor - for Registration only
All registrations are by appointment only. To make an appointment at Bangor Castle please ring 0300 013 3333 x40784.
Registering the stillbirth of a child is no doubt the farthest thing from a grieving parent’s mind. There are family members who can help and while you must register a stillbirth by law, you do have one year from the date of the stillbirth to complete the registration.
Who can register a stillbirth?
The mother or father of the stillborn child (if they are a married couple) can register the stillbirth. If the parents are not married to each other, the name of the father may only be recorded if the father attends and signs the registration or if a declaration of paternity is produced.
The following people may also register the stillbirth:
- the grandmother, grandfather, uncle or aunt of the stillborn child
- any person present at the stillbirth
- any person having charge of the stillborn child
- the occupier of the premises where the stillbirth took place
How to register
To register a stillbirth you will need to provide a certificate signed by a registered medical practitioner (or registered midwife) that was present at the stillbirth or has examined the body of the stillborn child.
You will also need to provide the following information:
- full name and sex of the stillborn child
- date of the stillbirth
- district and place of stillbirth
- full names and dates of birth of the parents
- full addresses and occupations of the parents
You must register a stillbirth in person, but you can do it at any District Registrar's office in Northern Ireland.
Once the registration is completed, the Registrar will issue a stillbirth certificate free of charge.
Order a stillbirth certificate
If you need to order a certified copy of a stillbirth certificate, the procedure differs slightly from other types of certificate. Only certain family members related to the stillborn baby can order the certificate. They are:
- mother or father (if named on the certificate)
General Register Office
NISRA
Colby House
Stranmillis Court
Belfast
BT9 5RR
Telephone: 0300 200 7890
General Register Office website