The Deaths and Still-Births (Signing of Certificates) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026

Made: 26th February 2026

Coming into operation: 23rd March 2026

The Department of Finance[^f00001], in exercise of the powers conferred by Articles 15(4)(za) and 25(2A) of the Births and Deaths Registration (Northern Ireland) Order 1976[^f00002], makes the following Regulations:

Citation, commencement and interpretation

1

These Regulations may be cited as the Deaths and Still-Births (Signing of Certificates) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 and shall come into operation on 23rd March 2026.

2

In these Regulations “the Order” means the Births and Deaths Registration (Northern Ireland) Order 1976.

Signing of Certificate of Still-Birth

3

A certificate of still-birth, under Article 15(3) of the Order, may be signed by a registered medical practitioner or a registered midwife in the following manner:

• (a) approved electronic means; or

• (b) signed in ink.

Signing of Medical Certificate of Cause of Death

4

A medical certificate of cause of death, under Article 25(2) of the Order, may be signed by a registered medical practitioner in the following manner:

• (a) approved electronic means; or

• (b) signed in ink.

Signed

Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Finance on 26th February 2026.

P. D. Wales — A senior officer of the Department of Finance

Explanatory note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

EXPLANATORY NOTE

These Regulations prescribe the manner for the signing of a certificate of still-birth by a registered medical practitioner or a registered midwife.

They also provide the manner for the signing of a medical certificate of cause of death by a registered medical practitioner.

Footnotes

[^f00001]: Formerly the Department of Finance and Personnel; see 2016 c. 5 (N.I.) s.1(4)

[^f00002]: S.I. 1976/1041 (N.I. 14) in which Articles 15(4)(za) and 25(2A) were inserted by sections 3(3) and 4(4) of the Deaths, Still-Births and Baby Loss Act (Northern Ireland) 2026 (2026 c.2 (NI))

Editorial notes

[^key-6fe652a1ee84c959c6a489cce37f93fc]: Reg. 1 in operation at 23.3.2026, see reg. 1

[^key-c49475cbbe5a6ee693160f2b83b485cb]: Reg. 2 in operation at 23.3.2026, see reg. 1

[^key-681343f189c9b4bd656d54cecbc7ba46]: Reg. 3 in operation at 23.3.2026, see reg. 1

[^key-d5507d0127f2df331ac20508668d9ef0]: Reg. 4 in operation at 23.3.2026, see reg. 1