How to register a birth in England and Wales
Who can register a birth in England and WalesParents married to each other: If the parents of the child were married to each other at the time of the birth (or conception), either the mother or the father may register. Parents not married to each other: If the parents were not married to each other at the time of the child's birth (or conception), the father's particulars may be entered in the register only in the following circumstances:
If the father's particulars are not recorded in the birth register, it may be possible for the birth to be re-registered to include his details at a later date. You can obtain further information about how to apply for the re-registration of a birth. Other people who may register birthsAlthough the majority of births are registered by the parents, sometimes neither the mother or the father are able to do this. In these circumstances, the registrar will arrange for the registration to be completed by whichever of the following people is best able to do so:
How and where do I register a birth?Births in England or Wales must be registered in the district in which they take place, although this may be arranged through any register office within these countries. Every birth in England or Wales must be registered in the district in which it takes place within 42 days of the date of birth. Information for the registration is given to the registrar by the person registering the birth. The information, which is usually recorded on computer, is also recorded in the birth register and the person registering the birth signs the record. If it is inconvenient to go to the district where the birth took place, the information for the registration may be given to a registrar in another district. The registrar will record the registration particulars on a form of declaration and send it to the registrar for the district where the birth occurred. The registrar who receives the declaration will enter the information in the birth register. Certificates of the birth, which may be ordered and paid for at the time of making the declaration, will be posted by the registrar for the district where the birth took place. The registration of a birth in Wales may be made bilingually in English and Welsh if the person who registers the birth gives the information in Welsh and the registrar is able to understand and write Welsh. If the registrar cannot understand and write Welsh, the information may be given in a different district where there are Welsh-speaking registrars, using the declaration procedure as described above. A birth which takes place in England may be registered in English only. The baby does not need to be taken to the registrar's office to show that the birth has taken place. The local health authority or the hospital where the birth occurred will notify the registrar of the birth. Registration can often be carried out at the hospital before the mother leaves, as well as at registrars' offices. The opening hours when a registrar will be available vary from one district to another and most of them operate an appointments system. You should contact the relevant district by telephone to obtain further information or to arrange an appointment. What will they want to know?Child
Father (where this information is to be entered in the register)
Mother
It is most important that the information recorded in the birth register is 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 will give the parents or other person who registered the birth some trouble to have it put right. The person registering the birth should check the information to be recorded in the register very carefully before the entry is signed. If English is not the mother's or father's first language and help is needed with registering the birth, it would be helpful for a relative or friend to accompany them to the registrar's office and act as interpreter. However, the parents must register the birth personally as a relative or friend cannot register instead of them. You can obtain further information about correcting particulars in a birth registration. What certificates will be issued?After a birth has been registered, a short birth certificate showing the name, sex, date and district of birth is issued free of charge. The short certificate meets most ordinary needs but a full birth certificate, which is a complete copy of the register entry, is also available. Further short certificates and full certificates may be bought at the time of registration or at any time afterwards. You can obtain further information about obtaining certificates. Where to get further advice on registering a birthIf you need clarification of any of this information or if you are uncertain about how to register a birth, your local registrar will gladly give you further advice. Alternatively, further information may be obtained from: General Register Office (General Section) British Consul and High Commission registration of birthsThere are certain countries where birth registrations may be made for British subjects overseas. The British Consul or High Commission may register the events and issue certificates. During the year following the registration, a copy of the entry is sent to the General Register Office, when certificates would be obtainable from here also. If a birth is registered by the British Consul or High Commission, the registration would show the person's claim to British citizenship, British Dependant Territories citizenship or British Overseas citizenship. If you wish to apply for this form of registration, or would like further information, please contact: Foreign and Commonwealth Office There are certain countries where a birth cannot be registered with the British authorities. There is a high standard of civil registration in these countries, some of which are listed below:
Information from the General Register Office in England and Wales Where to next?
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