Nebraska Commemorative Miscarriage Birth Certificate

Thanks to a unique, life-affirming NFA-supported bill passed into law by the Nebraska Legislature in 2018, women and families in Nebraska can now choose to receive a state-issued commemorative birth certificate for babies lost prior to 20 weeks gestation.

Learn how you or a loved one could request a miscarriage certificate today!

Any woman who has experienced a miscarriage during a pregnancy that was verified by a licensed healthcare practitioner in Nebraska is eligible to receive this state-issued commemorative birth certificate.

The certificate will include the child’s name if given and gender if known.

Nebraska’s law establishing this new type of certificate was introduced by Senator Joni Albrecht and signed into law by Governor Ricketts on April 17, 2018.

This type of certificate is only the second of its kind in the United States; however, Nebraska is the first state in the country to offer the certificate retroactively and not require a minimum gestation to qualify.

One out of every four pregnancies ends in miscarriage, and the grief of that loss is as real as the life itself. Creating a culture of life means honoring the lives lost in miscarriage as well as the families who grieve.

A tangible expression can be very healing for those who have experienced a miscarriage. They often open doors for those grieving to convey their feelings and acknowledge their loss [1&2].

That is why a state-issued commemorative birth certificate is a remarkable and thoughtful means for offering care and support for all women and families who have experienced a miscarriage. It also makes Nebraska an innovative leader in supporting grieving families while recognizing the dignity and humanity of the unborn at the earliest stages of development.

Women and families in Nebraska can receive a certificate for a payment of $19 after filling out an application form on the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services website and sending the completed form along with the signature of a licensed healthcare practitioner certifying the miscarriage to the DHHS Vital Records Office.

Click here for specific directions on how you can receive this certificate.

Nebraska Family Alliance is proud to have supported the creation and issuance of this life-honoring certificate.

[1] Smith Melinda M.A., Robinson Lawrence, and Segal Jeanne, Ph.D. “Coping with Grief and Loss.” Helpguide.org & Harvard Health Publications. July 2018.

[2] Johnson, Patricia. “Helping Loved Ones Grieve.” Focus on the Family. 2007.