Baby Loss Certificate Scheme for Northern Ireland
A baby loss certificate scheme is now available in Northern Ireland. The scheme allows people who have experienced the loss of a baby in early pregnancy to apply for a certificate recognising their loss. It applies to baby losses before the end of week 24 of pregnancy, or before week 28 for losses before 1992.
Before you start
The scheme is open to applicants who live/lived in Northern Ireland or who experienced their loss in Northern Ireland.
The eligibility criteria are set out and explained in the following guidance:
The guide details information applicants will need to give and how that information is held and processed by the General Register Office (GRO).
You should read the guidance before starting your application.
If you have any queries about your application contact GRONI directly:
Privacy notice
You can find out how GRO will handle any personal information you give when using this service by viewing its privacy notice.
More information
Counselling resources
The loss of a baby during pregnancy is a painful experience that can have a lasting impact on parents, their families and close friends. For some, applying for a baby loss certificate may be difficult or upsetting.
There are a range of counselling services and support groups available that can provide information and support:
Not a legal document
The certificate is not a legal document.
You do not have to apply for one if you do not wish to.
You can apply for certificates for more than one baby loss in one application - if the parent details for each baby are the same.
You can also apply for certificates for baby losses where the parent details are different by making a separate application for each.
The agreement of the second parent is needed for both parents’ names to be included on the certificate.
If applying as the father or second female parent of the child you must provide the name of the child’s mother. Applications without this information cannot be processed.