Skip to main content
North Yorkshire Council

Breadcrumbs

  1. Home
  2. Births, deaths, marriages
  3. Birth
  4. Registering a stillbirth and baby loss certificates

Registering a stillbirth and baby loss certificates

Registering a baby's stillbirth will be arranged on an individual basis, with the utmost regard paid to parents' care and wellbeing.

A stillborn child is legally defined as a child born after 24 weeks of pregnancy who did not, at any time after being born, breathe or show any other signs of life.

Advice on registration may be obtained from your local register office.

Please contact us for further advice.

Baby loss certificate

If your pregnancy ends before 24 weeks, you can get a certificate in memory of your baby. This is free and completely optional, you do not need to request a certificate if you prefer not to.

You can request a baby loss certificate on the government website.

Further information and support

  • Sands - the stillbirth and neonatal death charity
  • NHS Choices - stillbirth
  • NHS Choices - coping with stillbirth

 Rate this page

How would you rate this page?

Extra links

  • Get in touch
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Cookies
  • Terms and conditions
  • GOV.UK

Social media

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • More social channels

© 2026 North Yorkshire Council

The council provides services across North Yorkshire including Harrogate, Ripon, Scarborough, Whitby, Northallerton, Thirsk, Selby, Tadcaster, Malton, Pickering, Richmond, Skipton and more.

Digital Assistant
BETA

This is a new service – your feedback will help us to improve it.