Memorial Book of Pregnancy and Baby Loss Prior to 24 Weeks

What is the Memorial Book?

The Memorial Book of Pregnancy and Baby Loss Prior to 24 Weeks (“the Memorial Book”) is a commemorative record held by the National Records of Scotland (NRS). 

It offers the opportunity to provide recognition and may offer comfort to those who wish to have a record of their loss. It was developed after listening to people who have experienced a pregnancy or baby loss prior to 24 weeks of pregnancy.

Applications for entries to be made in the Memorial Book are provided on a voluntary basis as there is no legal requirement to record the loss of a pregnancy which took place before the 24th week, where there were no signs of life when the loss occurred. 

There is no time limit on making an application for an entry in the Memorial Book.
Applications may be submitted for an historical or a recent loss.

Once the loss has been recorded in the Memorial Book, a commemorative certificate of the entry will be issued to the applicant(s) free of charge. 

A certificate from the Memorial Book has no legal status and cannot be used as evidence of the loss.

Who may apply for an entry to be made in the Memorial Book?

The mother/woman/person who has had the loss prior to the end of the 24th week of pregnancy may apply for an entry to be made in the Memorial Book. 

Details of the father/parent/partner of the person who has had the loss may only be recorded in the Memorial Book if the person who had the loss also signs the same application form.

If the mother/woman/person who has had the loss is deceased, the application may be completed solely by the father/parent/partner of person who has had the loss and may contain both parties’ details. 

If the father/parent/partner of person who has had the loss is deceased, the application may be completed solely by the mother/woman/person who has had the loss and may contain both parties’ details.

The loss must have occurred in Scotland, or the applicant must be resident in Scotland at the time the application is made.

How can I apply?

The application form with guidance notes can be found here: Application Form (MB1) and Guidance Notes (157 KB PDF), or you can contact our Memorial Book team to request that an application form be posted out to you.

Application forms can be signed digitally or with a typed signature, or can be printed and signed in ink, before being posted or emailed to our team at the address listed on the form.

What evidence is required to be submitted along with the application?

No evidence is required to be submitted along with the application. No proof of pregnancy or the loss will be requested in support of an application.

Is the Memorial Book visible to the public?

No. 

Who can request a copy of a certificate from the Memorial Book?

Requests for a certificate from an event recorded in the Memorial Book will only be considered from the person(s) named on the entry. 

Restrictions on access to information contained in an entry in the Memorial Book expire once the subjects are deceased. However, NRS will look to maintain a duty of confidentiality with regards to personal data held within the Memorial Book. Further information can be found in the Memorial Book Privacy Notice. (153 KB PDF)

A person’s signature on the application form is taken as confirmation that they have read, and are in agreement with, the provisions in the Privacy Notice.

How to I request a correction to an entry in the Memorial Book?

If you are a person named on an entry in the Memorial Book and wish for that entry to be corrected, please contact our Memorial Book team for further advice. 

How do I cancel my entry in the Memorial Book?

If you are a person named on an entry in the Memorial Book and wish for that entry to be cancelled, please contact our Memorial Book team for further advice. 

Contact details for the Memorial Book team

If you have any queries regarding the Memorial Book or how to order a certificate, please contact our team at:

The Memorial Book Team
Room 36
New Register House
3 West Register Street
Edinburgh
EH1 3YT

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 0131 314 4314

Further information can be found in our Certification of Pregnancy and Baby Loss Prior To 24 Weeks Leaflet. (1.29 MB PDF)

Contact details for other organisations who may be able to provide support for those who have experienced a loss

If you are seeking support regarding a loss, please check the list of organisations (118 KB PDF) that may be able to provide further information.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Please check our FAQs. (112 KB PDF)

Last updated September 2023