Registering your baby's birth in England and Wales
Registering your baby's birth is one of the first official things you need to do after they arrive. It creates your child's legal identity in the UK, is required before you can claim Child Benefit, and is the step that unlocks your baby's birth certificate and eventually their passport. In England and Wales, you have 42 days to do it. This guide explains the process clearly so you know exactly what to do and when.
The deadline: 42 days
In England and Wales, parents are legally required to register a birth within 42 days (6 weeks) of the date of birth. This is set out in the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1953. Registering late is possible but can involve additional steps, and some benefits and services including Child Benefit cannot be set up until the birth is registered.
Note that the rules differ slightly in Scotland (21 days) and Northern Ireland (42 days but the process varies). This article covers England and Wales only.
Where to register
You must register at a register office in the district where the birth took place, not the district where you live. This often means the register office nearest to the hospital or birth centre where your baby was born.
If travelling to that district is difficult in the early weeks, you can attend your local register office to make a declaration, which is then forwarded to the correct district for registration. This is known as registering by declaration. It is more convenient but takes longer to process, so factor that in if you need the birth certificate quickly for other purposes.
Book your appointment in advance. Most register offices offer online booking through the local council website.
Who can register the birth
Who can register the birth, and whose name appears on the birth certificate, depends on your relationship status:
- If you are married or in a civil partnership: either parent can register the birth alone, and both parents' names will appear on the certificate.
- If you are not married or in a civil partnership: the mother can register alone. The father's or second parent's name will only appear on the birth certificate if both parents attend together and jointly register. There are some exceptions: a father can be included without attending if he has a parental responsibility agreement, a parental responsibility order, or a court order stating he is the father.
If you are unsure about your situation, particularly around parental responsibility, it is worth seeking advice before registering.
What to bring
There are no legally required documents to register a birth in England and Wales. However, it is helpful to bring:
- Your hospital discharge papers or red book (maternity notes)
- Your marriage or civil partnership certificate if relevant
- National Insurance numbers for both parents
The registrar will ask you to confirm the baby's full name, the exact date and place of birth, both parents' full names, dates of birth, places of birth, addresses and occupations. Having this information to hand makes the appointment straightforward.
Choosing your baby's name
At the appointment, you confirm your baby's full name. This is a decision that carries legal weight. While you can change a forename on the birth certificate free of charge within the first 12 months by contacting the register office, after that point changing the name on the certificate requires a court order. A deed poll can change the name used in daily life but does not amend the birth certificate itself.
Take your time over the name before the appointment. There is no need to rush.
What you receive
At the end of the registration appointment you will receive:
- A short birth certificate, free of charge. This is a basic extract and is sufficient for most purposes within the UK.
- You can also purchase a long birth certificate at the time of registration for £11 per copy. The long certificate shows the full details including parents' names and occupations. This version is required for some overseas uses and for a UK passport application.
Additional copies of either certificate can be ordered at any time afterwards from the General Register Office (GRO), also at £11 per copy.
Applying for your baby's passport
Once the birth is registered, you can apply for your baby's first passport. You will need the long birth certificate for this. A child's first UK passport cannot be issued on the basis of the short certificate alone. Allow several weeks for processing, particularly during busy periods. Check the current processing times at GOV.UK before you apply.
Child Benefit: claim immediately after registering
Child Benefit cannot be claimed until the birth is registered. Once you have registered and received the birth certificate, claim Child Benefit as soon as possible. It can only be backdated by 3 months, so delay costs you money. See our Child Benefit guide for the full process.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to register a birth in England?
You have 42 days (6 weeks) from the date of birth to register in England and Wales. Late registration is possible but may involve additional steps, and services such as Child Benefit cannot start until the birth is registered.
Can I register the birth without the father present?
If you are married or in a civil partnership, either parent can register alone and both names appear on the certificate. If you are not married, the mother can register alone but the father's name will not appear on the certificate unless both parents attend together. There are some exceptions involving parental responsibility agreements or court orders.
Can I change my baby's name after registering?
You can change a forename free of charge within 12 months by contacting the register office. After 12 months, changing the name on the birth certificate requires a court order. A deed poll can change the name used in daily life without amending the certificate.
What documents do I need to register a birth?
No documents are legally required, but it helps to bring your hospital discharge papers or maternity notes, and your marriage or civil partnership certificate if relevant. The registrar will ask you to confirm the baby's name, date and place of birth, and both parents' personal details.
How much does a birth certificate cost?
The short birth certificate is free at registration. The long birth certificate, which includes parents' details and is needed for passport applications, costs £11 per copy. Additional copies can be ordered later from the General Register Office at £11 each.