Registering a Still-birth

Where and when to register a still-birth

A still-born child is legally defined as a child born after the 24th week of pregnancy who did not at any time after being born breathe or show any other signs of life.

• Note: A child who breathed or showed other signs of life is considered live-born for registration purposes irrespective of the number of weeks duration of the pregnancy.

When a child is still-born, the doctor or midwife who is present at the birth or examined the body will issue a medical certificate of still-birth. The person who registers the still-birth must take this certificate to the registrar.

Every still-birth in England or Wales must be registered in the district in which it takes place, normally within 42 days. A still-birth may not be registered more than 3 months after it occured. Information for the registration is given to the registrar by the person registering the still-birth. The information is recorded in the still-birth register and the person registering the still-birth signs the record.

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If it is inconvenient to go to the district where the still-birth took place, the information may be given to a Registrar in another district. The Registrar will record the details on a form of declaration and send it to the Registrar for the district where the still-birth occurred. The Registrar who receives the information will enter it into the still-birth Register.

Certificates of the still-birth, which may be ordered and paid for at the time of the declaration, as well as the document for the burial or cremation, will be posted to you. If a declaration is made, it will take longer for the document for burial or cremation to be issued. The family should discuss the arrangements with their funeral director and the Registrar so as to avoid any delay to the funeral.

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Information to be supplied to the Registrar

Child

• date and place of still-birth
• the forename(s) and surname, if the parents wish to name the still-born child
• sex of the child.

Father (where this information is to be entered in the register)

• forename(s) and surname
• date and place of birth
• occupation at the time of the still-birth or, if not employed at that time, the last occupation.

Mother

• forename(s) and surname
• maiden surname if the mother is, or has been, married
• date and place of birth
• occupation at the time of the still-birth or, if not employed at that time, the last occupation
• usual address at the date of the still-birth
• date of marriage, if married to the father at the time of the still-birth
• number of previous children

If you would like any further information, or to book an appointment, please contact the Register Office on 020 8489 2605.

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