Registering the birth and death of a newly born baby
We know that the death of a child is very sad and distressing and the purpose of the information provided on these pages is to try and make the registration process as straightforward as possible by explaining the procedure and the questions that you will be asked. We regret very much the need to ask these questions.
We will deal with you sympathetically and patiently. You won't be rushed and the registration will proceed at your pace. Please do not feel that you have to apologise if you need to stop because you feel too upset to continue. We will help you through the whole process.
You may make an appointment but this is not essential. If you have not made an appointment the registration will nevertheless be given priority over all others. However, it would be helpful if someone could telephone and let us know that you are on the way to register so that we can arrange for a Registrar to be available when you arrive.
If you would find going to the Register Office too difficult, then we can arrange to carry out the registration at the hospital or at your home. You can either ask the hospital staff to contact the Register Office on your behalf or make the arrangements yourself.
If the baby showed any sign of life or breathed, we must follow a different procedure and register both the birth and the death although not necessarily at the same time. A separate guide is available explaining that procedure.
The law requires that in the case of a newly born baby who dies at birth, both the birth and the death must be registered although not necessarily at the same time. The requirement to register the birth applies where the baby has shown any form of life at birth even if only for a few seconds. The registration of the birth of a baby who has just died can be very traumatic. If you would find this too difficult then the birth can be registered at a later date as long as it is within forty two days of the birth.
If the baby was still-born then a separate guide is available on the procedure that must be followed.
The first part of this guide deals with registering the birth of a baby who has just died. If the birth of your child has already been registered then you should go directly to the part of the guide which explains how to register the death.
Registering the birth
 When and where to register
Who may register the birth
The formalities of registration
Copies of certificates
Registering the death
When to register
Where to register
Who can register the death
Information needed to register the death
Copies of certificates
Where is the Wandsworth Register Office
Further information
Emergency help
Complaints
Registering the birth
When and where to register
The birth must be registered within forty two days of the date of birth in the registration district in which it occurred. If the baby was born in the Wandsworth district then the birth must be registered by the Wandsworth Register Office.
If the baby was born in the Wandsworth district but it is not convenient for you to go to the Wandsworth Register Office then you can give the particulars needed for the registration at any register office in England and Wales. That register office will forward the details to us and we will register the birth and post the birth certificate to you. Also, as explained earlier, we can arrange to register the birth at the hospital or in your home if you would prefer this.
Who may register the birth
If you were married at the time of the birth then either parent can register the birth. If the parents are not married, the father's details can only be entered in the register if both parents attend together to register the birth.
If the parents are not married then it is not necessary to have the father's details included in the register. If the father's details are not entered at the time of registration, there are special procedures which allow the details to be entered at a later date and you will need to contact us so that we can explain these procedures to you.
The formalities of registration
You will be seen in private and asked questions about the baby and the baby's parents. The details will be entered in the birth register. You will be asked to check the information in the register carefully before you sign that it is correct.
The questions you will be asked are:
- the place and date of birth of the baby
- the baby's forenames, surname and sex
- the baby's birth weight
- the parents' forenames and surnames and places of birth
- the mother's address
- the parents' occupations
- the mother's maiden surname
- the number of any previous children
- if the parents are married, the date.
Copies of Certificates
There is no charge for the registration of a birth. A free certified copy of the registered entry will be given to you. Additional copies of the registered entry are available at any time for a small fee set by Parliament.
Registering the death of a baby or child
When to register
The death must be registered within five days unless the Coroner is conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.
If the birth has not been registered, then this can be done at the same time as the death registration. Both registrations do not have to take place at the same time and the birth registration can take place later if this is your wish. For example, if you are not married, you may want to delay the birth registration until the father is present so that his details can be entered in the register.
Where to register
The death must be registered in the registration district in which it took place. Like the birth registration, you can give details in another registration district. If the death occurred in the Wandsworth district, you can give the details of the death at another register office which is more convenient. However, as explained earlier, we can arrange to register the death at the hospital or in your home if you would prefer this.
People normally try to register a death as soon as possible in order to complete the formalities and make the funeral arrangements. Providing your details to another register office can slow the whole proccess down significantly as we have to wait for all the particulars to reach us before we can complete the registration. We then have to post the registration documents to you.
Who can register the death
The parents do not have to register the death if they find this too painful. You may have a relative or friend with you for support. People qualified to register a death include:
- a relative or other person present at the death
- a relative present during the last illness
- a relative residing in Wandsworth
- the occupier of the premises if aware of the death happening
- the person arranging the funeral (but not the undertaker)
Information needed to register the death
You will need to have with you a medical certificate of cause of death issued by the doctor. If the death has been referred to the Coroner, he will advise you on what to do.
The Registrar will see you in private and will ask you some questions about the baby or child who has died. The Registrar will enter the details in the death register and you will be asked to check the information carefully before you sign that it is correct.
The Registrar will require the following information:
- full forename and surname. If you are registering the death of a baby whose birth has not yet been registered, you can either give your chosen forename or simply use the surname
- date and place of birth
- father's forename and surname
- father's occupation
- mother's forename and surname
- mother's occupation
- the usual address for the child
- forename and surname, qualification and address of the person registering the death if not one of the parents.
You will be given an authority which allows you to make arrangements for either burial or cremation.
Copies of certificates
There is no charge for the registration of a birth or death. If you want certified copies of the register entry, these may be obtained at any time for a small fee set by Parliament.
Where is the Wandsworth Register Office
We are located in Wandsworth Town Hall, Wandsworth High Street, SW18. The Register Office is based on the ground floor and has direct easy access for the disabled and elderly visitors and also for parents with pushchairs. There are toilet facilities within the Register Office. Get a map
Further information
We will be pleased to offer further advice or information should you have any queries. Please do not hesitate to telephone the Register Office on 020 8871 6120/1 between the hours of 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday.
If you would prefer to make a personal visit to the Register Office, then either come along between 9am and 4.30pm, Monday to Friday, or telephone for an appointment. You can also make an appointment online.
Emergency help
If you require emergency assistance outside our normal office hours, please telephone 020 8871 6900 and ask to be put in touch with the Superintendent Registrar.
Complaints
You will find information on how to make a complaint at About the Register Office. |
