What You Need to Register a Stillbirth in South Africa and How the Process Works
This guide covers the DHA registration process for stillborn children. We recognise that you may be reading this in a very difficult time. The information here is provided to help you understand what documentation the law requires and what documents you can obtain for your baby.
The Legal Definition of a Stillbirth in South Africa
Under Section 1 of the Births and Deaths Registration Act 51 of 1992 (BDRA), a stillborn child is defined as one that has had at least 26 weeks of intra-uterine existence but showed no sign of life after complete birth.
This 26-week threshold is significant:
| Gestation at loss | Legal classification | DHA registration | Burial order |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26 weeks or more | Stillbirth | Required under BDRA Section 18 | Required before burial |
| Under 26 weeks | Pre-viable pregnancy loss | Not required under BDRA | Not required under BDRA, but burial of remains is not prohibited |
Note on losses under 26 weeks: A 2022 Constitutional Court judgment (Voice of the Unborn Baby) confirmed that the BDRA does not apply to foetuses under 26 weeks, and that such foetuses are not classified as “stillborn children” under the Act. However, the BDRA also does not prohibit the burial of pre-viable remains. If your loss occurred before 26 weeks and you wish to arrange a burial or cremation, speak to the hospital and a funeral home about the options available to you — this falls outside of DHA registration requirements.
What Document Does DHA Issue for a Stillborn Baby?
A stillborn child does not receive a standard birth certificate. Under South African law, stillborn children are registered under the deaths and births registration framework, not as live births. The key document is the registration of the stillbirth using Form DHA-1663 (Notice of Death / Still Birth), after which DHA issues:
- A burial order (Form DHA-14B) — required by law before burial or cremation can take place
- A death certificate in respect of the stillbirth, which serves as official documentation of the registration
Some parents request this documentation for personal memorial purposes, for insurance claims, for bereavement leave, or as recognition of their baby’s existence. The registration is also required before the hospital can lawfully release the baby’s remains for burial or cremation.
Who Completes the Forms?
The DHA-1663 form must be completed by an authorised medical practitioner — the doctor or midwife who attended the birth. This is usually handled by the hospital. Parents do not complete this form themselves.
Under Section 18(1) of the BDRA and the BDRA Regulations, the notice of stillbirth must be given to DHA within 72 hours of the birth.
The DHA-1663 Form: Notice of Death / Still Birth
| Form | Purpose | Completed by |
|---|---|---|
| DHA-1663 | Notice of Death / Still Birth — the primary registration document for a stillbirth | Authorised medical practitioner at the hospital |
| DHA-14B | Burial order — issued by DHA after registration, required before burial/cremation | Issued by DHA |
If the hospital did not register the stillbirth: If you were discharged from hospital without the stillbirth having been registered with DHA, or if you gave birth at home, contact your nearest DHA office with the completed DHA-1663 form (which a doctor must sign) and your own ID. The DHA Call Centre on 0800 60 11 90 can guide you on the nearest office to use.
Step-by-Step Process
Step 1 — At the hospital
In most cases, the hospital’s administrative team or the attending medical practitioner completes Form DHA-1663 and submits it to DHA on the parents’ behalf. This should happen within 72 hours of the birth. Ask hospital staff to confirm that this has been done and when you can collect the burial order.
Step 2 — DHA issues the burial order
Once the DHA-1663 is received and processed, DHA issues a burial order (Form DHA-14B). This document is required before the baby’s remains can legally be buried or cremated. In hospital settings, this process is typically coordinated between the hospital and the funeral home.
Step 3 — Collect documentation
Ask the hospital or your nearest DHA office for confirmation of the stillbirth registration. The registration is recorded in DHA’s system. You can also request a copy of the death certificate issued in respect of the stillbirth from a DHA office — bring your own ID and details of the registration.
Step 4 — If the stillbirth occurred at home or outside a hospital
If the birth occurred outside a hospital setting, obtain a DHA-1663 form from your nearest DHA office and have an authorised medical practitioner complete and sign it. Submit this to DHA within 72 hours. If the 72-hour window has passed, contact your nearest DHA office for guidance on late notification.
What Parents Receive
- Burial order — required for burial or cremation
- Death certificate in respect of the stillbirth — official documentation of the registration
- The registration is captured in the DHA system and can be referenced if needed for insurance claims, bereavement leave applications, or personal records
Naming your baby: The DHA-1663 form includes a section for the baby’s name and parents’ particulars. You have the right to name your baby on the registration documents. If you were not asked for a name at the time of registration and wish to have one recorded, speak to your nearest DHA office about what is possible.
Insurance, Leave, and Other Purposes
Parents who have experienced a stillbirth may need documentation for several practical purposes:
- Bereavement / parental leave: The registered stillbirth documentation from DHA can support applications for parental leave or bereavement leave under the Basic Conditions of Employment Act. Speak to your employer’s HR department about what documentation they require.
- Life insurance claims: Most life insurance policies covering unborn or newborn children will specify what documentation is required. The DHA registration documentation and/or the hospital’s records will generally be needed.
- SASSA grants: If you were receiving a pregnancy-related SASSA grant, notify SASSA of the loss to ensure records are updated.
Miscarriage and Early Pregnancy Loss (Under 26 Weeks)
If your baby was lost before 26 weeks of gestation, the BDRA registration process does not apply. You will not receive a DHA birth or death certificate. However:
- The hospital should provide you with a letter or documentation confirming the pregnancy loss for your own records
- You may request that the hospital make arrangements for dignified disposal of remains
- Some funeral homes offer memorial or burial services for early pregnancy loss — you do not need a DHA burial order for this, as BDRA does not require one for pre-viable foetuses
- If you wish to hold a private memorial, no DHA documentation is required
What You Cannot Do
- You cannot receive a standard birth certificate for a stillborn child — the legal framework treats a stillbirth as a death, not a live birth, and the documentation issued is different
- You cannot request DHA registration for a foetal loss under 26 weeks — the BDRA definition of “stillborn” requires at least 26 weeks of gestation
- You cannot bury or cremate a stillborn child (26 weeks+) without first obtaining a burial order from DHA — this is a legal requirement under Section 20 of the BDRA
- Naturalised citizens and Permanent Residents can now apply for Smart IDs at bank branches (Phase 1 rollout), but only if they are from certain visa-exempt countries. All others must still use a DHA live capture office.
Official Contact Details
| Channel | Details |
|---|---|
| DHA Call Centre (toll-free) | 0800 60 11 90 |
| DHA email | hacc@dha.gov.za |
| DHA official website | www.dha.gov.za |
| SA government — register birth | www.gov.za |
Support Organisations
Dealing with the loss of a baby is an extraordinarily difficult experience. The following organisations may be able to offer support:
| Organisation | Details |
|---|---|
| SANDS South Africa | Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Support SA — peer support for bereaved parents |
| SA Federation for Mental Health | Mental health support and referrals |
| South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) | 0800 456 789 (toll-free) |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does my stillborn baby get a birth certificate in South Africa? Not in the standard sense. A stillbirth is registered under the deaths and births registration framework using Form DHA-1663. What parents receive is a burial order and a death certificate in respect of the stillbirth, rather than a standard birth certificate. The baby can be named on the registration documents.
2. Who is responsible for registering the stillbirth? The attending doctor or medical practitioner at the hospital completes and submits Form DHA-1663. This should happen within 72 hours of the birth. The hospital’s administrative team typically coordinates this with DHA. If the birth happened at home, you will need a doctor to complete the form and submit it to DHA.
3. What is the 72-hour rule? Under Section 18(1) of the BDRA, the notice of stillbirth must be given to DHA within 72 hours. The hospital typically manages this. If the deadline has passed, contact your nearest DHA office for guidance.
4. My baby was lost at 22 weeks. Can I still register with DHA? No. The BDRA definition of a stillbirth requires at least 26 weeks of gestation. Losses before 26 weeks are not registerable as stillbirths under South African law. However, you may still arrange for dignified burial or cremation through a funeral home, and the hospital should provide documentation of the loss.
5. Can I name my stillborn baby on the documents? Yes. The DHA-1663 form includes sections for the baby’s name and parents’ particulars. You have the right to name your baby. If a name was not recorded at the time, speak to your nearest DHA office about having it noted.
6. I need documentation for my employer for bereavement leave. What do I request? The registered stillbirth documentation from DHA — including the burial order and death certificate in respect of the stillbirth — can support bereavement leave applications. Ask your employer what specific documentation they require, as requirements vary.
7. The hospital was supposed to register the stillbirth but I have not heard anything. What should I do? Contact the hospital’s administrative department first to confirm whether the DHA-1663 was submitted. If not, contact your nearest DHA office or the DHA Call Centre on 0800 60 11 90. You will need a medical practitioner to complete the form if it was not done at the time.
8. Is there any fee for registering a stillbirth? There is no fee for the initial registration of a stillbirth. If you later need additional copies of the death certificate, contact your nearest DHA office to confirm the current fee.
Related Guides
- Birth Certificates Hub — All Guides
- How to Apply for an Unabridged Birth Certificate
- Late Birth Registration
- Lost or Damaged Birth Certificate