The Memorial Book is a commemorative record we hold of baby loss before 24 weeks of pregnancy.
We record entries in the Memorial Book to:
- provide recognition of baby loss
- offer comfort to those who want a record of their loss
You can apply to have a loss recorded in the Memorial Book. Applications are voluntary, and there’s no legal requirement to record a loss.
We developed it after listening to people who have experienced a pregnancy or baby loss before 24 weeks of pregnancy.
How to apply
We do not need evidence or proof of pregnancy or the loss.
To apply you can either:
Application forms can be:
- signed digitally or with a typed signature
- printed and signed in ink, before being posted or emailed to our team at the address listed on the form
There’s no time limit on making an application for an entry. Applications can be submitted for:
- a historical loss
- a recent loss
Who can apply
You must have had the loss before 24 weeks, and either:
- have experienced the loss while in Scotland
- be resident in Scotland when your application is made
The mother/woman/person who had the loss before the 24th week of pregnancy can apply.
The father/parent/partner can only be recorded in the Memorial Book if the person who had the loss signs the same application form.
Certificates of entries
Once the loss has been recorded in the Memorial Book, we’ll send a commemorative certificate of the entry free of charge.
A certificate has no legal status and cannot be used as evidence of the loss.
Requests for certificates
We can only provide a certificate if it’s requested by someone named in the Memorial Book entry.
If the people named on the entry have died, the restrictions on access expire. However, we maintain a duty of confidentiality with personal data held in the Memorial Book. Further information is available in our privacy notice.
Correct or cancel an entry
If you’re named on an entry in the Memorial Book and want the entry to be corrected or cancelled, , contact our Memorial Book team for advice.
Contact us
If you have any queries about the Memorial Book or how to order a certificate, contact us at:
The Memorial Book Team
Room 36
New Register House
3 West Register Street
Edinburgh
EH1 3YT
You can also contact us through the contact form.
