This information is from the Georgia Dept of Human Resources website:
http://health.state.ga.us/programs/vitalrecords/
To order Fetal Death (Stillbirth) Certificates (for babies that have passed away before birth):
Contact the state office at 404-679-4702 regarding certified copies of fetal death certificates.
To order a Birth and/or a Death Certificate (for babies that are born alive and then pass away):
Information regarding Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth
Policy and Procedure
Georgia Vital Records
February 13, 2007
Background:
The State of Georgia collects information on vital events where there is a Fetal Death. The information is important for public health purposes. It can also be helpful for parents who suffer the loss of a child through a stillbirth. However, a Fetal Death Certificate is a document that focuses on the death of the child and is of little comfort to some families.
It is imperative that the State continues to collect fetal death information in a consistent manner. In addition, the information currently collected on fetal deaths is sufficient to be able to create a “Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth” that will be an electronic abstract of the information already collected. This new certificate can be generated from the State Vital Records Office using the existing fetal death information. However, the cause of death information will not be included.
Policy
Per Georgia Code 31-10-5 and DHR Regulation 290-1-3-.34, the State Registrar has the authority to determine the form of certified copies of Vital Records. As of February 13, 2007, the Georgia Vital Records Office will issue a Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth based upon the information collected on the fetal death record.
Eligibility and Request Processing
The Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth will be created upon request of eligible family members who specifically ask for a Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth. Eligibility for this Certificate will be limited (with appropriate exceptions) to those individuals who are eligible to receive a copy of a birth record as outlined in DHR Regulation 290-1-3-.33 (The exceptions include individuals who could not possibly request such a copy including: the registrant; the adult child of the registrant; and the spouse of the registrant). Those individuals who can request a copy of a Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth include:
• Either parent of the registrant listed on the record;
• Grandparent of the registrant
• Adult brother/sister of the registrant
• A legal representative of the parent
• A court of competent jurisdiction
A written request must be made by an eligible applicant, along with payment of a $10 fee for the first copy, and $5 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. The
request should be mailed to Georgia Vital Records, 2600 Skyland Drive, Atlanta, GA 30319.
Certificate of Stillbirth Policy
February 13, 2007
Page Two
Minimum Information on a Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth
The Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth will contain, at a minimum, the following items:
• Child’s Name
• Date of Delivery
• Gender
• State File Number of the Fetal Death Record
• Place of Delivery
• Residence of Mother
• The Attendant at Delivery
• Gestational Age at Delivery
• Weight at Delivery
• Mother’s Name
• Father’s Name
A certification statement will also be included at the bottom of the certificate signed by the State Registrar attesting to the accuracy of the information reported. The date of issuing the certified copy will also be included.
Procedure
Upon receipt of a request for a Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth, the request will be forwarded to the Acting Supervisor of the Registration Unit, if the event occurred within one year. The request will be forwarded to the Supervisor of the Search Unit if it has been more than one year since the event.
The appropriate supervisor will assign staff to locate the Fetal Death Record and transcribe the information into an Access Database. Staff will then print out the Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth and mail the certificate.
Implementing this Policy
Steps to implement this policy will include training of Vital Records Staff on the handling and processing of these requests.
A letter will go out to birthing hospitals to inform them of the change. They can then inform patients who experience a stillbirth of this policy and how to request a copy of a Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth.
An application for a Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth will be created and shared with the hospitals. The application will also be available on the DHR – Vital Records website.