Renfrewshire Council

You can register a still-birth at any registration office in Scotland within 21 days. However, in exceptional circumstances (for example, if the mother is ill or the father is unavailable), a short postponement can be arranged in consultation with the registrar.

We have registration offices in  Paisley, Johnstone and Renfrew. Please make an appointment beforehand.

Who can register a still-birth?

• If the parents are married to each other or in a civil partnership with each other, the still- birth can be registered by either the father or mother or second female parent.
• If the parents are not married to each other, and the father/second female parent's name is to be entered into the register, he/she must attend along with the mother. 
• If the birth is registered by the mother alone, the father/second female parent's details will not be shown unless he/she signs a statutory declaration in the presence of a local Councillor, Justice of the Peace or Notary Public.

Where can you register a still-birth?

A still-birth that occurred in Scotland can be registered at any registration office in Scotland. The document attached below has a full list of registration offices in Scotland:

In Renfrewshire, you can register a still-birth at our registration offices in Paisley, Johnstone and Renfrew. 

We strongly recommend that you make an appointment - telephone numbers for each office are available below:

What details should I give and what documents are needed?

• The certificate of still-birth (Form 6).
• Full name and surname of the child (if the informant wishes).
• Sex, date, place and exact time of still-birth of the child.
• Mother's full name, maiden surname (if this applies), occupation and date of birth.
• Father's/parent's full name, occupation and date of birth (if this applies).
• Place and date of your marriage or civil partnership (if this applies).
• Your marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate (if this applies).

If no certificate of still-birth (Form 6) is produced, the still-birth registration may go ahead after the qualified informant has completed a declaration as to still-birth (Form 7).

What documents will I receive? 

• A certificate of registration of still-birth (Form 8) for production to the burial ground keeper or crematorium where the burial or cremation is taking place.
• If one of the parents registers the still-birth and requests it, a still-birth certificate.