Introduction - Registration of a still-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.

 When to register
 Where to register
 Can I register elsewhere?
 Who can register
 Information you need to register
 Where is the Wandsworth Register Office?
 Further information
 Emergency help
 Complaints/suggestions

When to register
The still-birth must be registered within three months from when it occurred.

Where to register
The still-birth must be registered in the registration district in which it occurred. If the still-birth occurred in the Wandsworth district then it must be registered by the Wandsworth Register Office. However, as explained earlier, we can arrange to register the still-birth at the hospital or in your home if you would prefer this.

Can I register elsewhere?
Yes, if coming to the Wandsworth Register Office is not convenient then you can go to any register office in England and Wales to provide the particulars required for registration. That register office will forward the details to us and we will register the death.
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.
To minimise delay in registering a death it is always advisable, where possible, to register the death in the registration district in which it occurred.

Who can register
The mother can register the still-birth. The father can only register the still-birth if he was married to the mother at the time of the still-birth. If the parents are not married, the father must attend at the registration if he wants his name to go in the register. A person present at the still-birth such as a relative or friend can also register.

Information you need to register
We need a form from the medical practitioner or midwife who was present at the still-birth in order to complete the registration. The form is called - Medical Certificate Of Still-Birth.

The questions that the Registrar will ask are as follows:

• date and place of still-birth
• the forename and surname of the baby - it is not compulsory for you to name the baby
• father's forename and surname
• father's place of birth
• father's occupation
• mother's forename and surname
• mother's place of birth
• mother's occupation
• mother's maiden surname
• mother's usual address
• date of birth of each of the parents
• the informant's forename and surname, occupation and address, if someone other than one of the parents is registering.

The Registrar is also required to gather some additional statistical information.

It is not compulsory to give details of the father. If you do not wish to have the father's details registered then simply tell the Registrar who will only ask the other relevant questions.

The Registrar enters details of all your answers on to a form before entering them in the official register. The Registrar will ask you to check the details on the form and if you are satisfied that all the details are correct, will then complete the entry in the register. The Registrar will then issue you with a Certificate of Registration. There is no charge for this certificate.

The Registrar will ask you about the funeral arrangements and whether you will be arranging a burial or a cremation and will then supply you with the necessary form to allow this to proceed.

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/suggestions
You will find information on how to make a complaint or suggestion at About the Register Office.