Registering births
- Apart from the Burnt Oak Register Office, births can also be registered at Barnet House, 1255 High Road Whetstone N20 0EJ.
A birth must be registered within six weeks, in the district where the child was born, by a qualified informant, usually the mother and/or father. If this is impossible, the register office for the district where the child was born must be contacted to arrange an extension.
Where the parents were married to each other at the time of the birth, either the mother or father can attend to register the birth. If the parents were not married to each other, both the mother and natural father must attend together to register the birth.
If either parent cannot attend, a statutory declaration made by the absent parent, or a court order naming the other party as parent, may be acceptable. Any court order will have to be sent to the General Register Office (external link) for their consideration and approval.
The natural father's details cannot be included in the registration unless either of these conditions are met.
It is possible, in exceptional circumstances, for a person other than the mother and/or father to register a birth. Please contact the register office for further information and advice.
To register a birth the following information is required:
- the date and place of birth
- if it is a multiple birth, times of each birth are needed
- full name of the baby
- full names of parents, including any other names they are or have been known by
- parents’ dates and places of birth and occupations
- parents’ addresses at the time of the birth and current address if this is different
- if parents are married to each other at the time of the birth, the date of the marriage and number of other children
- whether the baby's mother has been married before and the name(s) used during the previous marriage(s).
Once the birth has been registered parents will be given a Form FP58, which is needed to register the baby with a doctor and includes the child's NHS number. Parents will also be issued, free of charge, the short birth certificate. If Child Benefit is claimed, this certificate must be sent with the application.
If a full birth certificate is required, for a passport for example, this can be obtained from the registrar at the time of registration for the statutory fee of £3.50 per copy.
If parents are unable to attend the office in the district where the child was born, they can make a declaration at any register office in England or Wales. The same details, information and documentation will be required as for a normal registration. The registrar will forward the declaration to the appropriate office, from where certificates and documents will be issued.
Parents should allow seven working days between the date of declaration and the receipt of documents. If they have not received anything after this time they should contact the register office for the district where the event occurred and not the office at which they made the declaration.
