A retrospective population-based household survey was conducted in Deir-Alla district during July–August 2002. The aim was to determine the extent of under-registration of child deaths and stillbirths, estimate infant mortality and under-5 mortality rates and identify factors affecting under-registration. We interviewed 1024 women aged 15–49 years about deaths in the last 3 children born. A modified version of the preceding birth mortality questionnaire was used. We found 72.2% of child deaths, including all 45 stillbirths, were unregistered. Under-registration was significantly related to child’s age at death, stillbirths and dead infants < 1 year being more likely to be unregistered. The officially published infant mortality rate is not a credible indicator of infant deaths.