Still-births

The following information is provided to help you register a still-birth.

What do we mean by the term still-birth?

A “Still Birth” is defined in Section 41 of the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1953 (as amended) in that a “Still Born Child” means a child which has issued forth from its mother after the 24th week of pregnancy and which did not at any time after being completely expelled from its mother breathe of show any other signs of life.

Where are still-births registered?

The doctor or midwife who was present at the birth will issue a certificate of still-birth which has to be delivered to the registrar of the district in which the still-birth occurred. Any still birth that occurs within the Plymouth City boundary is registered at the Plymouth Register Office, Lockyer Street, Plymouth PL1 2QD

Who can register a still-birth?

Only certain people are qualified to register the still-birth. They are as follows:

• the mother
• the father, if he was married to the mother at the time of the still-birth
• mother and father if they were not married at the time of the still birth
• the occupier of the house or the senior administrator of the hospital where the still-birth occurred
• a person who was present at the still-birth
• the person in charge of the still-born child
• the person who found the still-born child

What information is required to register a still-birth?

You must bring with you the certificate of the cause of the death issued by the doctor or midwife. It is also wise to know the following information before you attend at the Register Office:

• the date and place of the still-birth
• baby's forename(s) and surname
• the cause of the death (taken from the certificate given to you by the doctor or midwife)
• mother's full name, and if applicable any other names that she may have been known by, date and place of birth, current or last occupation
• if the father's details are to be included in the register then the same information will be asked of him (the fathers details can only be included if he was married to the mother at the time of the still-birth or if both parents are present at the time of the registration. There are certain exceptions to this rule which can be explained to you by a registrar if you contact the Register Office)
• the month and year of the marriage if the birth parents were married to each other at the time of baby's birth

Certificates

Once the still-birth has been registered the registrar will give to you the following certificates:

• a white form for the funeral director
• a small certificate acknowledging that the still-birth has been registered
• you may also purchase a certificate showing all of the details that have been included in the register

Please note that public registers and certificates are Crown copyright and protected under Section 163 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 so they may not be lawfully reproduced. For the purposes of this guidance, the term copying includes: Photocopying, scanning, filming, reproduction in any other media, including the placing of material on the internet.

An appointment system operates for Birth and Death Registrations, Giving Notice, Marriage Ceremonies and Civil Partnership Registrations. Call 01752 268331 to make an appointment.

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