Concepts and definitions
Source: Principles and Recommendations for Vital Statistics Systems, Revision 2
1.	Live birth (para. 57.)
2.	Death (para. 57.)
3.	Foetal death (para. 57.)
4.	Marriage (para. 57.)
5.	Divorce (para. 57.)
6.	Adoption (para. 57.)
7.	Legitimation (para. 57.)
8.	Recognition (para. 57.)
9.	Separation (para. 57.)
10.	Annulment (para. 57.)

1. Live birth (para. 57.)

A live birth is the result of the complete expulsion or extraction from its mother of a product of conception, irrespective of the duration of pregnancy, which after such separation breathes or shows any other evidence of life, such as beating of the heart, pulsation of the umbilical cord or definite movement of voluntary muscles, whether or not the umbilical cord has been cut or the placenta is attached; each product of such a birth is considered to be live-born.

2. Death (para. 57.)

Death is the permanent disappearance of all evidence of life at any time after live birth has taken place (post-natal cessation of vital functions without capability of resuscitation). This definition excludes foetal deaths (see Foetal death below).

3. Foetal death (para. 57.)

Foetal death is the death prior to the complete expulsion or extraction from its mother of a product of conception, irrespective of the duration of pregnancy; the death is indicated by the fact that after such separation, the foetus does not breathe or show any other evidence of life, such as beating of the heart, pulsation of the umbilical cord or definite movement of voluntary muscles.

4. Marriage (para. 57.)

Marriage is the act, ceremony or process by which the legal relationship of husband and wife is constituted. The legality of the union may be established by civil, religious or other means as recognized by the laws of each country.

5. Divorce (para. 57.)

Divorce is a final legal dissolution of a marriage, that is, that separation of husband and wife which confers on the parties the right to remarriage under civil, religious and/or other provisions according to the laws of each country.

6. Adoption (para. 57.)

Adoption is the legal and voluntary taking and treating of the child of other parents as one's own in so far as provided by the laws of each country.

7. Legitimation (para. 57.)

Legitimation is the formal vesting of a person with the same status and rights of a person born in wedlock, according to the laws of each country.

8. Recognition (para. 57.)

Recognition is the legal acknowledgment, either voluntarily or compulsorily, of the paternity of a child born out of wedlock.

9. Separation (para. 57.)

Separation is the disunion of married persons, according to the laws of each country, without conferring on the parties the right to remarry.

10. Annulment (para. 57.)

Annulment is the invalidation or voiding of a marriage by a competent authority, according to the laws of each country, which confers on the parties the status of never having been married to each other.