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In the past, parents in England had no formal way to acknowledge the loss of a baby before 24 weeks. Babies lost after that time were eligible for a death certificate, but earlier pregnancy losses were mostly ignored, at least from an official standpoint. Now, though, the rules have been changed. Parents who have lost a child before 24 weeks from September 2018 onward can now get a government certificate that recognizes their grief and the loss they faced.

The new baby loss certificate is designed to help parents process their loss and the trauma that comes with it, by formally acknowledging the devastating feeling that often comes with losing a baby to a miscarriage. While this won’t be a legal document like a death certificate, it will be an official document that millions of people will have the opportunity to apply for.

Losing a baby at any point in the development process can be extremely devastating for families so the goal of the certificate is to show women and parents that they’re recognized and supported during difficult times. The certificates were originally discussed as part of a women’s health strategy that began back in July 2022, and the ability to apply for these certificates means the government has made good on its pledge to acknowledge this type of loss.

Either parent can receive the certificate, as long as they live in England and were living there at the time of the loss. Even early losses in a pregnancy, well before the baby would have been viable, can be stressful, traumatic, and painful. There are hopes and dreams that come with pregnancy, and those are all stripped away when that pregnancy is lost. The certificate is designed to provide formal recognition of the baby’s life and the loss the parents experienced.

In time, the goal is to extend the option for certificates further back than September 2018. Then, more parents who have lost babies before 24 weeks will be able to apply and have their baby’s short time with them acknowledged.

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