How do I register a birth?

For parents who have had a baby.

Applies to: England, Wales, Northern Ireland Last checked against official sources: 30 September 2026

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, you must register a birth within 42 days. Do it at the register office where the baby was born, or at the hospital if offered.

Take at least one form of ID, and the baby's red book.
You'll need details like the parents' names, birthplaces and jobs.
Afterwards, you may be able to claim Child Benefit.
Scotland has different rules.

Different in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Rules may be different in:

Scotland: Check mygov.scot for Scotland

Key facts

Within 42 days
At the local register office
Then claim Child Benefit

Deadlines across the UK

Where the baby was born	Register within
England, Wales or Northern Ireland	42 days of the birth
Scotland	21 days of the birth

Who can register a birth

Your situation	Who can register
Parents married or in a civil partnership	Either parent, on their own
Parents not married	Both parents together, if both want to be named. The mother can also register alone.
Female couple, married or in a civil partnership	Either parent, if the baby was conceived by donor insemination or fertility treatment while the mother was married or in a civil partnership
Same-sex male couple	You need a parental order from a court first

If parents are not married, the father can still be named if he cannot attend. This needs a statutory declaration form (a signed legal statement) or a court order giving him parental responsibility.

If the parents cannot register, someone else can. This includes someone who was at the birth, someone responsible for the child, or an administrator at the hospital.

What you need

Documents. Take at least one form of ID, such as:

passport or birth certificate
driving licence
deed poll (if you changed your name)
proof of address, such as a Council Tax bill
marriage or civil partnership certificate

You may also be asked for the baby's red book (personal child health record).

Details the registrar will ask for:

the baby's place and date of birth, name and sex
the parents' names, address, and dates and places of birth
the date of the parents' marriage or civil partnership (if any)
the parents' jobs
the mother's maiden surname

Steps to register

Contact the register office for the area where the baby was born. Some hospitals let you register there before the mother leaves.
Take your ID and the baby's details.
Give the registrar the details listed above.
Buy any certificates you need.

If you cannot get to the office in the area of the birth, any register office can take your details and pass them on. The certificate then takes a few days instead of being given straight away.

Birth certificates and cost

There are 2 versions:

Short certificate: shows only the baby's details.
Full certificate: also shows the parents' details.

In England and Wales, each certificate costs £12.50. You can buy more copies later from the register office.

In Scotland, you get a free abbreviated (short) birth certificate when you register. You can pay for a full extract that includes the parents' details.

After you register

Once the birth is registered, you may be able to claim Child Benefit.

If you live in Scotland

In Scotland you can register at any registration office, not just the one where the baby was born. Councils may also offer registration by phone or video call. Contact your local council registrar to book.

Related guides

Where this comes from

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

Find a register office

Common questions

How much does a birth certificate cost?

In England and Wales, both the short and full birth certificate cost £12.50.

What is the difference between a short and full birth certificate?

The short version shows only the baby's details, and the full version also shows the parents' details.

Can an unmarried father register the birth?

Both parents can sign the register together, or one parent can complete a statutory declaration for the other to take to the registration.

Can someone else register the birth?

If the parents cannot, someone who was present at the birth or who is responsible for the child can register it.

Official sources

1.Register a birthwww.gov.uk/register-birth
2.Who can register a birthwww.gov.uk/register-birth/who-can-register-a-birth
3.Birth certificateswww.gov.uk/register-birth/birth-certificates

Checked against GOV.UK on 30 September 2026

Ask about your situation

Please don't include your name, address, National Insurance number or health details. See our privacy notice.