Register a birth

What happens at the appointment

When you attend the appointment, you should bring:

  • your baby's red NHS book
  • documents for each parent such as a passport, driving licence, utility bill, birth or marriage certificate (we can still register the birth without these documents)
  • a payment card to pay the fee for the birth certificates required

Attending an appointment during COVID-19

Due to COVID-19, certain procedures should be followed when attending appointments:

  • if you are married, only one parent needs to attend to sign the register, although both parents can come
  • if you are not married, both parents need to attend to sign the register
  • wear a mask or face covering if you have one (we can supply one if not)

Do not bring children with you to your appointment, and do not attend the appointment if you are experiencing coronavirus symptoms.

You do not need to bring your baby to the appointment.

What you'll be asked at the appointment

During the appointment, the registrar will ask you:

  • your baby’s name, date and place of birth
  • the parents’ names, places of birth, occupations and addresses

You'll also be asked the following information which will not be on the birth certificate:

  • if the parents were married to each other at the time of the birth and the date of the marriage
  • if the mother has had any other children or been married before
  • the parents’ dates of birth

Birth certificates

At the end of the appointment you'll be asked how many copies of the birth certificate you would like.

Certificates cost £11. Please bring a payment card. You can buy extra copies of birth certificates online.