Community directory

How do I register a birth?

Is there a time limit in which I have to register my baby?

Your baby’s birth must be registered within 42 days of the date of the birth.

Where can I register the birth?

The Birth must be registered in the Registration district in which the birth occurred.

If it is not convenient for you to visit the Register Office for that district, you can go to any other Register Office in England and Wales. In this circumstance, a birth declaration will be taken and sent to the Register Office in the district where your baby was born.

The birth certificates and the form enabling you to register your baby with the doctor will then be sent to you by post. Any other copies of the birth certificate you need in the future must come from the district in which the birth occurred.

At most Register Offices an appointment is required. Please telephone and arrange a time suitable for you.

Who can register the birth?

• The mother of the baby
• The father of the baby if he was married to the mother at the time of the birth
• The mother and the father, jointly, if they are not married to each other at the time of the birth
• The mother or the father, attending alone, if they were not married at the time of birth, bringing with them an appropriate document signed by the other parent. Inquire about this document at any Register Office
• The mother, if she is not married to the father, may register alone leaving out the details of the father. A re-registration can enter the father’s details at a later date or following the marriage of the father and mother

Under special circumstances, someone else may attend to register a birth but you would need to ask the advice of the registrar first.

Unmarried couples should be aware that wherever there is a joint registration, the named father will automatically be given full parental rights over the child until he/she reaches the age of 18 years. Mothers may wish to consider the implications of this prior to registering a birth.

It is important that the information recorded in the register should be correct. If any mistake is made, for example in the spelling of a name or surname or in the description of the father’s, or mother’s occupation, it is troublesome to put it right after you have signed the register. Therefore, you should check the particulars in the entry very carefully before you sign.

Please note only the people above can register a birth - you cannot ask a friend or relative to attend instead.

What information will I have to supply for the registration of the baby’s birth?

Baby

• The date, and place of your baby’s birth. If the baby is one of twins, triplets or any multiple births, the time of each baby’s birth will be required
• Whether it is a girl or a boy
• The forenames and surname in which it is intended that your baby will be brought up

Father (where these details are to be entered into the register)

• His forenames and surname
• His place of birth
• His occupation at the time of the birth, or if not employed at that time, his last occupation

Mother

• Her forenames and surname, and her maiden surname if she is or has been married
• Her place of birth
• Her usual address at the date of the birth
• Her occupation is optional. If she has been employed at any time before the birth this occupation can be entered if she wishes

Other Information
Further particulars are required under the Population (Statistics) Acts but will not be entered in the register. This confidential information will be used to prepare statistical information by the Registrar General:

• The father’s date of birth, where his name is entered in the register
• The mother’s date of birth
• The month, and year of the marriage when the baby’s parents are married to each other at the time of the birth
• Whether the mother has been married more than once
• Number of mother’s previous live children and Stillbirths (excluding birth or births now being registered)

What paperwork will I be issued with?
After the birth has been registered you will be given a short birth certificate, which is issued free of charge. The certificate shows only the baby’s name, surname, date of birth and district of registration.

You will also be given a form with the National Health Service Number on, so the baby can be registered at the Doctors Surgery.

Also available at a small fee are full birth certificates, which are a full copy of the entry in the register. Many people purchase a full copy at time of registration as copies requested later may cost more. Additional copies of both types of certificates can be purchased.

If you wish to purchase certificates when registering the birth by declaration, you must pay by cheque or postal order as cash cannot be sent through post.

Should you require any help please telephone your local Register Office, the staff will gladly give you further help and advice.

NB A Birth Certificate does not represent proof of identity.