It is the legal duty of the mother to register a birth. Where the parents are married to each other the father may attend alone to register the birth. Where the mother and father are not married to each other at the time of the birth then both parents need to attend to register. There are other "qualified informants who can register the birth where it is not possible for the mother (or father if married) to register please seek advice from the Register Office concerned.
Q. Do I need to know the date of my marriage?
The registrar is required to ask for statistical information by law at the time of the registration Where the child is born within marriage the date of marriage is required. The registrar will also ask for the date of birth of the father if his details are to be recorded and in all cases the date of birth of the mother.
Q. Will the registrar need to know about our other children?
The registrar will ask for the number of other children including any who have since died born to the mother.
Q. Where do I go to register a baby?
A birth must be registered in the district where it occurred. However you can attend at any Register Office within England and Wales to make a declaration of the birth whereby the details will be taken and forwarded to the Register Office concerned on your behalf and your documents will be sent to you in the post.
Q. What information will the Registrar ask for?
The registrar will need to know the date and place of birth of the baby, the full names and surname in which the baby is to be brought up, the mother's full names and if she has been known by any other names, her occupation, her address at the time of the birth and if the father's details are to be recorded the same details for the father, whether the mother and father where married to each other at the time of the birth and if not if they have since married. The register will also require some statistical information.
Q. What if the parents don't have English as their first language?
Where the parents who wish to register a birth do not speak English and are not going to understand the questions asked by the registrar then they will need to bring along a third person who can act as interpreter for them. This can be anyone including a relative.
Q. How long after the birth of my baby do I need to register
The mother is allowed a period of 42 days (six weeks) to register the birth. After this period the register will write to her to remind her that it is her legal duty to register the birth and failure to do so may result in prosecution. Any births not registered after a period of 3 months are reported to the General Register Office.
Q. What happens if a birth is not registered within 6 weeks?
The mother is allowed a period of 42 days (six weeks) to register the birth. After this period the register will write to her to remind her that it is her legal duty to register the birth and failure to do so may result in prosecution. Any births not registered after a period of 3 months are reported to the General Register Office.
Q. What documents will I get from the registrar after I register my baby?
Once the baby is registered the registrar will issue you with a free short birth certificate showing the baby's name and date of birth and a form for the child to be registered with a doctor. Other certificates may be purchased either at the time of the registration or afterwards including the standard birth certificate that also shows the parents details as recorded.
Q. How do I get a copy of my birth certificate?
Birth certificates from past events may be purchased at the register office where the birth took place either by writing or in person. Anyone can get a copy of any birth certificate providing they are able to provide the information for registration staff to identify the record. Please enquire regarding the cost.
Q. How much does it cost to register a baby?
The registration of a baby is free and the first short certificate is also free.
Q. How do I change my child's name?
A child's name may be changed within 12 months of the registration of the birth but only the forenames and only if the parents now use a different name from that recorded or want to add an extra name or remove a forename from the birth record. This process does not apply where a mistake has been made to the spelling of any names. Please seek advice about any other changes to a birth record.
Q. What surname can the child be given?
A child may be given any surname at the registration but in most instances it cannot be altered afterwards. The child should be registered in the full names and surname that it is intended to be raised with.
Q. How do I get the father's name onto my baby's birth certificate?
Where a baby is registered without the father's details then the birth may be reregistered to include the father's details. Please seek advice from the Register Office regarding the procedure.
Q. How do I get the father's name in the register if we are not married?
There are several ways in which a father's details may be recorded if he is not married to the mother. They may both attend together, one parent may attend alone with a statutory declaration made by the other parent, the mother may attend to register the birth alone and apply to reregister the birth at a later date if she obtains a court order naming the father.
Q. What do I need to bring to register a baby?
You do not need to bring any proof of the birth, identification or documents to register the birth. You may find it useful to bring some money if you require more than one certificate.
Q. UK Deed Poll provides extensive information on changing your name, or a child's, by Deed Poll
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