Registering Baby
Posted by admin on January 21st, 2010In the UK you must register the birth of your baby within 42 days of the birth in England and Wales. If you can’t go to the district where your baby was born you can go to another office (still within 42 days) and the registrar will send your details to the appropriate district office. If the baby was born in England or Wales however, it must be registered in England or Wales.
Register office opening hours will vary from one district to another and most operate an appointment system.
If parents are married at time of birth or conception, either the mother or father can register the birth on their own.
If they aren’t married, to ensure both parents’ details are included on the birth certificate, there are several options:
- both parents can go and sign the birth register together
- if one parent cannot go to the register office, they will need to complete the statutory declaration form – the parent registering the birth should give the completed form to the registrar
- where there is a parental responsibility agreement in force or either parent has an appropriate court order, this can be presented at the time of registration
If the father’s details are not included in the birth register, it may be possible to re-register at a later date.
If the mother or the father cannot attend, the following people can register the birth:
- occupier of the house or hospital where the child was born
- someone who was present at the birth
- someone who is responsible for the child
You can go to any register office to register the birth of your baby. If you go to the register office in the district where the birth took place, they can issue a birth certificate straight after the registration.
Register office opening hours vary from one district to another and most operate an appointment system. Allow about half an hour to complete the registration process once you are with the registrar.
To find your local office, use our Register Office Finder below.
If you go to a different register office, which does not cover the district in which the birth took place, you can submit the details to register the birth, but they cannot give you a birth certificate. It takes a few further days for you to receive a birth certificate in these circumstances.
After you register your baby you will receive a short birth certificate, you will need the birth certificate for a number of reasons including applying for child benefit.
For details on the differences on how this issue is handled across the UK, visit our information pages on Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Parents now have the option to have a naming ceremony for their child. This is a non-religious ceremony which celebrates the birth of a child and/or welcomes new children into the family (such as adopted children).
The parents can also nominate adults to support their child – a bit like nominating a godfather and godmother at a christening – although naming ceremonies have no legal standing.
A birth certificate must be produced at the time of booking the ceremony with your local council.
Tags: registering a baby