#2026/100Baby Loss Certificate Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026
AI-generated summary for informational purposes only. Not legal advice. See the original source for the authoritative text.
This law creates a process in Northern Ireland for parents to apply for a Baby Loss Certificate after losing a baby during pregnancy, where the loss is not legally classed as a stillbirth. The certificate can record details such as the baby’s name, date and place of loss, date of delivery, sex, and the names of the mother and, with consent, the father or second female parent. The Registrar General will issue the certificates and keep a private record of them. The record is not open to the public, which means the scheme gives families a formal acknowledgement while protecting their privacy.
AI-generated summary. May contain errors. Refer to official sources for legal decisions.
Key Changes
- Creates a Baby Loss Certificate scheme for pregnancy losses that are not legally classed as stillbirths.
- Allows the mother, father, or second female parent to apply, with consent required before another parent’s name is included.
- Requires the Registrar General to keep a private, non-public record of issued certificates.
Obligations
What this law requires
The Registrar General must ensure that any Baby Loss Certificate issued contains a certificate reference number and the date on which the certificate is issued.
Applicants for a Baby Loss Certificate must submit the mother’s full name in the application.
Applicants must provide the full name of the father or second female parent if that person’s name is to be included on the Baby Loss Certificate.
Applicants must provide the consent of any parent other than the applicant whose name is to be included on the Baby Loss Certificate.
Applicants must provide their postal address and telephone number when applying for a Baby Loss Certificate.