From 9 November 2026, registration services across England and Wales will use a new electronic system for births, deaths and stillbirths, modernising the process while protecting the accuracy and integrity of records.

What is changing?

Customers will no longer sign a paper register.

Instead, they will review their details and make a verbal declaration that the information is true to the best of their knowledge and belief. This has the same legal importance as a signature.

Customers can check all information before it is registered.

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, the doctor or midwife who was present at the birth or examined the body will issue a medical certificate of still birth.

The Medical Examiner will issue the required paperwork. This will be sent directly to us.

Every still birth in England and Wales must be registered in the district in which it took place, normally within 42 days.

You are able to register a still birth in Telford and Wrekin at our Register Office in Wellington, Mondays to Fridays; all registrations are by appointment only. Please wait for us to call you to make the arrangements for the registration. However, in the meantime, if you wish to email us we will be happy to help.