Petition · past parliament
Make it possible for any baby to have a birth and death certificate after labour
Closed
2,635 signatures
What the petition asks
Having gone through an early labour at 21 weeks and giving birth to a beautiful baby girl, who sadly died seconds after birth, I was heartbroken to realise that her short life would not be recognised legally on this earth with a birth and death certificate. This option should be available to parents
The current law in England and Wales is that in order to file a birth and death certificate the child must be born after 24 weeks of pregnancy.
The NHS currently offer a hospital-based commemorative certification, however this is not a legal document or proof of life and death.
No matter the week of pregnancy any parents of a laboured birth should have the option to file for a birth and death certificate.
The NHS currently offer a hospital-based commemorative certification, however this is not a legal document or proof of life and death.
No matter the week of pregnancy any parents of a laboured birth should have the option to file for a birth and death certificate.
Timeline
| 21 Aug 2018 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 21 Feb 2019 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
2,635
Status
Closed
Opened
21 Aug 2018
Closed
21 Feb 2019
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.