Registering a birth

Births in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland must be officially recorded within 42 days of the child's birth. This can be done at the local register office where the baby was born or, in some cases, at the hospital before the mother is discharged.

If the birth cannot be registered in the area it occurred, you can visit another register office and they will forward the information to the appropriate office.

Essential Details for Birth Registration

When registering the birth of a child, the following information is typically required:

Birth date and location
Baby's name, surname, and gender
Parents' names, surnames, and addresses
Parents' birth dates and places
Date of parents' marriage or civil partnership
Parents' occupations
Mother's maiden surname

Note that the specific information needed may vary based on the person registering the birth.

What to bring when registering a birth

It is recommended to bring at least one form of identification when visiting the register office. Acceptable forms of identification include:

Passport
Birth certificate
Deed poll
Driver's license
Proof of address such as a utility bill or Council Tax bill
Marriage or civil partnership certificate

Additionally, it is a good idea to bring the child's personal child health record or "red book" as some registrars may request to see it. If you are registering the birth alone, you may need proof of paternity from the other parent before providing their information.

Organisations to notify after a birth

Having a child may have an impact on your taxes, benefits, and services from your local council.

The Tell Us Once service can be used to report the birth to the local council. The registrar will let you know if this service is available in your area.

When you attend a Tell Us Once appointment, you will be asked about the people who will be named on the birth certificate and any partners who live with them.

For each person, you will need to provide their address and phone number, date of birth or National Insurance number, and details of any benefits they receive or have applied for. If the Tell Us Once service is not available in your area, you will need to reach out to your local council regarding your benefits and services.

Additionally, you can contact Jobcentre Plus to find out if any other benefits or support are available to you.

Post Birth Registration

You may be elgible to claim the following once you have officially registered the birth:

Birth Certificate Copy

You may also want to order a few extra copy of birth certificate for official purposes such as applying for a passport.

Order Full Birth Certificate Now