Stillbirth - registering

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.

Stillbirths in Harrow can be registered at our registrars officer although this may be arranged through any register office in England or Wales.

Deaths in England or Wales must be registered in the district in which they take place although this may be arranged through any register office within these countries.

The main Act and regulations governing the registration of births and death are:

• Births and Deaths Registration Act 1953 (as amended)
• The Registration of Births and Deaths Regulations 1987 (as amended)
• The Registration of Births and Deaths (Welsh Language) Regulations 1987 (as amended)

The registration systems in Scotland and Northern Ireland are different from that in England and Wales and each has its own General Register Office. You can obtain information about how to register a death in Scotland or Northern Ireland by linking in to their websites:

General Register Office in Scotland
General Register Office in Northern Ireland

Further advice about registering a still-birth in England or Wales may be obtained from Harrow registry office or from the General Register Office.