Introduction
Where and When to Register
Who Can Register a Still-birth?
Information to be Supplied to the Registrar
Documents to be Issued

Introduction

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.  When a child is still-born, the doctor or midwife who was present at the birth or examined the baby, will issue a medical certificate of still-birth.  This certificate must be taken to the register office.

Where and When to Register a Still-birth

Every still-birth in England or Wales must be registered in the district in which it takes place.  If the still-birth takes place in Swindon, the registration should take place in that register office.

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If it is inconvenient to attend this office, it is possible to register at a more convenient register office by means of a legal declaration.  This may delay the issue of relevant documents for a few days.  Please contact the register office for further details if necessary.

Who Can Register a Still-birth?

Parents Married to Each Other

If the parents of the child were married to each other at the time of the still-birth, either the mother or father may register.

Parents Not Married to Each Other

If the parents of the child were not married to each other at the time of the still-birth, information about the mother of the child will always be included in the register.

Information about the father may only be included in the register in the following circumstances:

• The mother and father attend the register office and sign the register together
• Either parent can attend the register office with a statutory declaration acknowledging parentage from the other partner

Although the majority of still-births are registered by the parents, if it is difficult for them to attend, other people may be able to attend to provide the information.  This may often be people in authority from the hospital where the still-birth took place.

Please contact the register office for further information.

Information to be Supplied to the Registrar

The following information must be supplied to the registrar for the registration of a still-birth:

Child

• Date and place of still-birth
• The forename(s) and surname, if the parents wish to name the child
• The sex of the baby

Father (where the information is to be included)

• Forename(s) and surname
• Date and place of birth
• Occupation

Mother

• Forename(s) and surname
• Maiden surname if the mother is, or has been married
• Date and place of birth
• Occupation
• Usual address at the date of the still-birth
• Date of marriage, if married to the father of the child
• Number of previous children by her present husband or by any previous husband

It is important that the information supplied is accurate as any corrections to the register may be difficult to effect.

Documents to be Issued

Certificate of Registration

A certificate of registration will be issued free of charge to the person who registers the still-birth.  This certificate provides proof that the still-birth has taken place.  It includes any names given and the date of the still-birth.

Certificate for Burial or Cremation

The registrar will issue a certificate for the burial or cremation of the still-born child.  This certificate would normally be given to the funeral director who is making the arrangements.  No funeral for the child can take place without this certificate.

Still-birth Certificate

After a still-birth has been registered, a certificate showing the full details included in the entry may be purchased from the registrar.  The current fee for this certificate is £3.50.