When a new baby is born, it is a legal requirement to register the birth within 42 days.
What do I need to do?
Firstly, you need to make an appointment with the registrar. You can contact the Register Office by phone or email using the details on the right.
What will I need to bring?
You will need to bring your hospital papers that show the baby's national health number.
You will need to provide the following information:
- the date, time and place of the birth
- whether the baby is a boy or girl
- the forenames and surname that the baby will be given
- the father's full details
- the mother's full details
Father's details
If you and the father are not married and he cannot come to register the birth with you, he can complete a form to make a statutory declaration that he is the father. You can get a copy of the form from the register office.
The form must be witnessed by a practising solicitor, a justice of the peace or a magistrate.
Contact the register office if you want to know more.
Check your details
It is important to make sure that the information recorded on the register is correct. Please make sure you check all the details carefully.
What happens next?
You will be given one copy of the birth certificate free of charge. If you wish to purchase further copies of the birth certificate at the time of registration, they will cost £3.50 each.
If you wish to buy additional copies of the birth certificate after the registration is complete, there will be a fee of £7.
If you require further information, please contact us using the details on the right.
Further information
For more information on registering a birth in the UK, please see the General Register Office website, or call the Greenwich registry office using the number given on the right.
If you need to change your child's birth certificate, see our page on re-registering a birth.
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