Stillbirth Registration
Oklahoma law defines a stillbirth, or fetal death, as the death of a fetus before the fetus is delivered. In these circumstances, there are no signs of life after delivery, such as breathing, a heartbeat, or movement. Oklahoma law requires that a record be filed with the State Department of Health when the fetus has reached 12 weeks of pregnancy or later. Note: Oklahoma law refers to the official stillbirth record as a fetal death certificate. For simplicity, this page uses the term “stillbirth record.”
Because a stillbirth does not result in a live birth, neither a live birth certificate or death certificate will be registered in accordance with Oklahoma law. Instead, a stillbirth record is completed and submitted specifically to document these events. The stillbirth record contains information typically found on both birth and death records, and documents the facts related to the pregnancy, delivery and stillbirth.
For parents: If you are reading this page because you have experienced a stillbirth, you may not need to complete or file the record yourself. The healthcare provider, funeral director, hospital, or other person responsible for filing the record will guide you through the information they need from you.
Email: AskROVER@health.ok.gov
Phone: (405) 426-8686
Oklahoma law provides parents who have experienced a stillbirth with the option to request a Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth from the Oklahoma State Department of Health to memorialize their stillborn child. Medical staff caring for the family are responsible for informing the parent(s) of this option.
This certificate is separate from the official stillbirth record. It is a memorial document intended as a keepsake for parents who may wish to have a document that recognizes and remembers their child.
The certificate is 8.5 × 11 inches and features a pale green background, gray border, and white dove. It includes the child's name, date of delivery, and parent names.
The parent(s) must apply to the Vital Records Division to receive the certificate. The Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth cannot be used as evidence of live birth or for identification purposes.
For information about how to request a Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth, including the application, identification requirements, fees, and processing time, see Applying for a Copy of a Stillbirth Record below.
A parent may apply for a copy of the official stillbirth record or the Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth.
To apply, submit:
- A completed application
- The required fee of $15 for each copy requested
- A copy of the parent’s government-issued photo ID
Processing time is approximately 7–10 business days.
Completing and Filing a Stillbirth Record
Oklahoma law assigns responsibility for filing the stillbirth record based on who assumes custody of the fetus.
The funeral director or person acting as a funeral director who first assumes custody of the fetus is responsible for filing the stillbirth record. If there is no funeral director or person acting in that capacity, the physician or other person in attendance at or after the delivery is responsible for filing the record.
The person responsible for filing the record works with the parents to complete the personal information and sends the record to the physician or other medical provider responsible for completing the medical information. Once all required information has been completed and reviewed for accuracy, the record is filed with the State Registrar.
The person responsible for filing the record must also:
- Notify the medical examiner when required;
- Obtain any required permits;
- Follow Oklahoma laws and requirements related to vital records; and
- Work with the Vital Records Division when questions arise or assistance is needed.
Stillbirth records provide important information about pregnancy and pregnancy loss. The information collected helps support public health efforts, including improving prenatal and pregnancy-related services and understanding birth outcomes.
We understand that completing a vital record is one of many things a family may have to navigate during a difficult time. Providers and funeral directors play an important role in helping ensure the process is completed accurately and as smoothly as possible for families.
Use the current Oklahoma Certificate of Stillbirth form designated by the State of Oklahoma. (VS 153 - 2009).
When completing the record:
- Complete all required items. Do not leave required fields blank.
- Make all entries clear and legible.
- Avoid abbreviations whenever possible. When an abbreviation is necessary, use standard abbreviations, such as U.S. Postal Service abbreviations for addresses.
- Verify the spelling of all names carefully, particularly names that may have different spellings for the same sound.
- Obtain all required signatures. Signatures must be original. Rubber stamps, photocopies, or other facsimile signatures are not acceptable.
- Do not make alterations or erasures.
- File the original certificate with the State Registrar. Reproductions or duplicate certificates are not acceptable.
- Contact the Vital Records Division if questions or problems arise during the completion or filing process.
For items on the stillbirth certificate, including the Medical Information section, “Unknown” is an acceptable entry when the requested information cannot be determined or obtained. However, “Unknown” should be used only when appropriate and after reasonable efforts have been made to obtain the requested information.
Do not leave a required item blank simply because the information is not readily available. If the information cannot be determined after reasonable efforts, enter “Unknown” rather than leaving the item blank.
All required items must be completed. Certificates submitted with required items left blank may be rejected in accordance with Oklahoma Administrative Code 310:105-1-2(1).
Before submitting a record, take a moment to review the information and make sure the type of record being filed matches the circumstances of the delivery.
- Check for indicators that the record type may need to be reviewed. A birth record that includes certain medical indicators, such as very low birth weight, short gestation, or an Apgar score of 0, may warrant a closer review to confirm that a live birth occurred. Similarly, an infant death record with an age recorded as 0 may indicate that the event should be reviewed to determine whether it was a stillbirth.
- Check for duplicate or conflicting records. Vital Records may receive both a birth record and a stillbirth record for the same event, or both a death record and a stillbirth record. A death record for an infant when no birth record is on file may also indicate that the original event should be reviewed.
- Check for blank items. One of the most common errors is submitting a record with required information left blank, particularly in the medical information section. If the information cannot be determined, enter “Unknown” when appropriate rather than leaving the item blank.
Before filing, review the record carefully to make sure the appropriate certificate has been completed in accordance with Oklahoma law.
If you have questions about information in the medical record or are unsure which type of certificate should be filed, contact the attending physician. If questions remain after reviewing the information with the physician, contact the Vital Records Division before submitting the record. We are available to help ensure the correct record is filed.
The following terms are defined in Oklahoma law and are used throughout the stillbirth registration process. These definitions are provided for reference and reflect the language of Oklahoma Statutes.
Filing: The presentation of a certificate of birth, death, or stillbirth for registration by the State Commissioner of Health. (63 O.S. 1-301.3)
Registration: The acceptance by the State Commissioner of Health and the incorporation in his official records of certificates of births, deaths, and stillbirths. (63 O.S. 1-301.4)
Live birth: The complete expulsion or extraction from the mother of a product of human conception, irrespective of the duration of pregnancy, which, after such expulsion or extraction, breathes or shows any other evidence of life such as beating of the heart, pulsation of the umbilical cord or definite movement of voluntary muscles, whether or not the umbilical cord has been cut or the placenta is attached. (63 O.S. 1-301.5)
Certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth: A certificate issued to memorialize a stillborn child. (63 O.S. 1-301.7)
Fetal Death (Stillbirth): Death prior to the complete expulsion or extraction from its mother of a product of human conception after a period of gestation as prescribed by the State Board of Health. The death is indicated by the fact that, after such expulsion or extraction, the fetus does not breathe or show any other evidence of life such as beating of the heart, pulsation of the umbilical cord or definite movement of voluntary muscles. (63 O.S. 1-301.8)
Physician: A person who is a member of the class of persons authorized to use the term “physician” pursuant to Section 725.2 of Title 59 of the Oklahoma Statutes. (63 O.S. 1-301.11)
Institution: Any establishment, public or private, which provides inpatient medical, surgical or diagnostic care or treatment, or nursing, custodial or domiciliary care, to two or more unrelated individuals, or to which persons are committed by law. (63 O.S. 1-301.12)
