Registration of 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. When a child is still-born either the doctor or midwife who was present at the birth, or who examined the child, will issue a medical certificate of still-birth. This certificate must be taken to the register office so the still-birth can be registered.
If the still-birth took place in Gateshead you will need to contact us to make an appointment to register the still-birth. Appointments can be made in person, by telephone on 0191 433 2207 or 433 2208 or by email registeroffice@gateshead.gov.uk|. If the appointment is urgent it is advisable to contact us by telephone.
Either the mother or the father may register the still-birth provided they were married to each other at the time of the still-birth.
If the parents of the child were not married to each other at the time of the still-birth the following will apply
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Information about the mother will always be included in the register.
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Information about the father can only be included in the register if both the mother and the father attend the register office together and sign the register together or if either parent attends with a statutory declaration acknowledging parentage from the other partner.
If it is difficult for the parents to attend to register the still-birth, other people may be able to attend and provide the information. This might include people in authority from the hospital where the still-birth took place. Please contact us for further information.
The following information is required for the registration of a still-birth
Child
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Place and date of still-birth
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The sex of the child
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The forename(s) and surnames if the parents wish to name the child
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Medical Certificate of still-birth
Mother
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Forename(s) and surname
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Maiden surname if the mother is, or has been married
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Date and place of birth
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Occupation
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Usual address at the date of the still-birth
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If married to the father, date of marriage
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Number of previous children by present or any previous husband
Father (if the information is to be included on the registration)
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Forename(s) and surname
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Date and place of birth
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Occupation
A certificate of registration will be issued free of charge to the person who registers the still-birth. This provides proof that the still-birth has taken place and it will include the date of the still-birth plus any names that have been registered.
The Registrar will also issue a certificate for the burial or cremation of the still-born child. It is not possible to arrange a funeral for the child without this certificate and it would normally be given to the person who is making the arrangements, such as the funeral director.
After the still-birth has been registered it is also possible to purchase a certificate, showing the full details that have been included in the entry, from the registrar. The current cost of this can be found on the Fees and Charges| page.