How to register a birth
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland you must register a baby's birth within 42 days (21 days in Scotland). Here's who can do it, what to take and what happens next.
- Time
- About 30 minutes at the appointment
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Cost
- Low cost
- Steps
- 6
- Checked
What you’ll need
- At least one form of ID, e.g. passport, driving licence or birth certificate
- Your baby's personal child health record (the red book), if you have it
- Parents' full names, addresses, dates and places of birth, jobs, and date of marriage or civil partnership if relevant
- Mother's maiden surname, if applicable
- Money or a card for certificates
Safety first
- If you miss the deadline, contact the register office as soon as you can.
Step by step
-
Step 1: Check the deadline
Births in England, Wales and Northern Ireland must be registered within 42 days. In Scotland it's 21 days. Book early as appointments can fill up.
Next: step 2 -
Step 2: Book an appointment
Register at the register office for the area where the baby was born. Some hospitals let you register before you go home. If you can't get to the right district, you can make a declaration at another register office, but certificates will take a few days longer.
Next: step 3 -
Step 3: Check who can register
If the parents are married or in a civil partnership, either parent can register alone and both parents' details go on the record. If they're not married, both parents' names go on the certificate if they register together, or if one brings a signed statutory declaration from the other, or a court order. Separate rules apply to same-sex couples. If parents can't register, someone present at the birth or responsible for the child may be able to.
Next: step 4 -
Step 4: Go to the appointment
The registrar will ask for the baby's details (name, sex, date and place of birth) and the parents' details. Check everything carefully before you sign: mistakes are harder to fix later.
Next: step 5 -
Step 5: Buy certificates
You'll be offered a short certificate (baby's details only) and a full certificate (includes parents' details). Each costs £12.50 in England and Wales. You'll need a full certificate for some things, like a passport application, so it's worth buying one.
Next: step 6 -
Step 6: Do the next jobs
Once the birth is registered you can claim Child Benefit (from 48 hours after registration) and register your baby with your GP.
Tips
- Agree the baby's names and spelling before you go.
- Take your NHS discharge paperwork too in case it's useful.
When to call a professional
Ask the register office for advice if there are complications such as a stillbirth, surrogacy, or a parent who can't attend.
Questions people ask
Can I register online?
Not in England and Wales: births are registered in person at a register office (or at the hospital, where offered).
Can I add the father's name later?
Yes, unmarried parents can re-register the birth to add the father's details. Contact the register office.
Sources
Checked 9 October 2026. We wrote this guide in our own words, using:
- GOV.UK: Register a birth (gov.uk)
- GOV.UK: Who can register a birth (gov.uk)
- GOV.UK: Birth certificates (gov.uk)
- National Records of Scotland: Registering a birth (nrscotland.gov.uk)
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