Fetal Death and Still Birth

Fetal Death Certificate

Overview

The New York State Department of Health issues Pregnancy Loss Certificates for losses that occurred in New York State, outside of New York City. The Individual experiencing the pregnancy loss may request one upon application.

Who is eligible to get a copy of a Certificate of Pregnancy Loss?

  • The Individual experiencing the pregnancy loss is the only entity eligible to receive a Certificate of Pregnancy Loss.

Is there a fee to request a Pregnancy Loss Certificate?

  • There is no fee associated with a Pregnancy Loss Certificate request.

Certificate of Still Birth

Overview

The New York State Department of Health provides Still Birth Certificates upon request. The individual experiencing the loss may receive a certificate from the NYS Department of Health if the pregnancy loss took place in New York, outside of New York City.

Who is eligible to get a copy of a Certificate of Still Birth?

Those who can receive a Certificate of Still Birth are:

  • The individuals experiencing the pregnancy loss listed on the Pregnancy Loss Certificate.
  • If both individuals experiencing the pregnancy loss are deceased, the following parties may apply for a Pregnancy Loss Certificate:
  • A sibling of an individual who experienced the pregnancy loss listed on the pregnancy loss certificate.
  • A parent of an individual who experienced a pregnancy loss listed on the pregnancy loss certificate.

Relatives must provide the following:

  • Death certificate of an individual who experienced the pregnancy loss.
  • Birth certificate proving your relationship (e.g. as sibling or parent)

When We Cannot Issue:

You will receive a "Notification of No Record Available" if:

  • The event does not quality as a ‘still birth’ under Public Health Law.
  • Details on the pregnancy loss certificate do not match your request (please be sure the certifier completes optional fields accurately)
  • No matching pregnancy loss record exists in our files
  • Individuals experiencing a pregnancy loss have requested no issuance.

Is there a fee to request a Certificate of Still Birth?

  • There is no fee for Certificate of Still Birth

Questions or comments: contact the Vital Records Call Center at (855) 322-1022.