Every birth in England or Wales must be registered within 42 days of the baby being born. Click on the below links for further information
Registering a birth
Who can register a birth?
Information required by the registrar
Birth Certificates
Register Offices
Registering a birth
The registration of the birth can be carried out at any Register Office - it does not have to be recorded at the office nearest where the birth took place. Information for the registration is given to the registrar by the person registering the birth. This information, which is usually recorded on computer, is also recorded on the birth register, and the person registering the birth signs the record.
If the birth is not registered in the district where the child(ren) was born the registrar at the office where the birth was registered will record the details of the birth and send it to the registrar for the district where the birth occurred. If you register a birth outside the district in which it took place you will not be able to get a birth certificate on that day, but it will be posted to you.
You do not need to take the baby to the office to have the birth registered. The local health authority or the hospital where the birth occurred will notify the registrar.
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Who can register a birth?
If the parents of the child were married at the time of the birth, either the mother or father can register the birth.
If the parents were not married at the time of the birth, the father's particulars can only be entered onto the register in the following circumstances:
- Where the father and mother attend the Register Office together to register the birth
- Where the father is unable to attend the Register Office with the mother and he completes a Statutory Declaration confirming he is the child's father, which the mother then provides to the Registrar. (copies of this form can be obtained from any Register Office)
- Where the mother is unable to attend the Register Office she may complete a Statutory Decaration confirming the name of the father, which the father then provides to the Registrar. Copies of this form can be obtained from any Register Office.
- Where the mother and father have made a parental responsibility agreement or either has obtained an appropriate court order. Ask the Registrar for advice in these circumstances.
If it is not possible to register the birth with the father's particulars in the first instance, it may be possible for the birth to be re-registered at a later date to include his details. It may also be possible to re-register the birth if the parents wish to change the surname the child was given originally. The Registrar will be able to advise you about both types of re-registration.
If neither father or mother are able to register the birth the Registrar will arrange for the registration to be completed by one of the following:
- The occupier of the house or hospital where the child was born
- A person who was present at the birth
- A person who is responsible for the child
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Information required by the Registrar
The below information must be given to the Registrar in order to register the birth
- Child's date and place of birth. If the child is one of twins or triplets etc., the time of birth will also be required.
- Child's gender.
- The forename(s) and surname in which it is intended that the child will be brought up.
- Father's forename(s) and surname
- Father's date and place of birth
- Father's occupation at the time of the birth, or, if not working at that time, his previous occupation.
- Mother's forename(s) and surname. Her maiden name will also be required if she is or has been married.
- Mother's date and place of birth
- Mother's usual address at the time of the birth
- Mother's occupation at the time of the birth, or, if not working at that time, her previous occupation.
- If the parents were married to each other at the time of the birth the date of this marriage
- The number of children the mother has had previously by her present or former husband(s) or partner(s)
It is extremely important that the information recorded in the Birth Register is correct. If any mistake is made, for example in the spelling of names, it will be troublesome to put right at a later date. The person or people registering the birth should check carefully that the recorded information is correct before signing the Register.
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Birth Certificates
After the birth has been registered the Registrar will issue a 'short copy' birth certificate free of charge. This certificate will show:
- the baby's forename(s) and surname
- sex
- date of birth
- district and sub-district of birth
A certificate of birth is also available at a charge from the Registrar which shows details of the parents and is a complete copy of the register entry. Many people purchase a full copy of the birth entry at the time of registration as after the registration is complete a certificate costs more.
Further copies of the 'short copy' or full certificates can be purchased from the relevant Register Office at any time after registration. The full certificate is now required to obtain a passport for anyone born after 1983.
Using Birth Certificates
Parents of a child will need to provide a copy of the birth certificate as proof of the existence and identity of their child for the following reasons:
- To support claims for Council Tax or Housing Benefit
- To support claims for welfare benefits or Tax Credits
- To apply for a passport for their child
The certificate may also be required for other reasons such as applying for social housing, and is a widely recognised proof of identity for children and adults. If Council officers need your birth certificate for any reason do not post it unless this is unavoidable (and if you have to, use a secure service). Officers at any of our offices can take a copy for you and forward it to the relevant department, certifying it as a true copy of the document.
Always keep birth certificates in a safe and secure place, as they can be used for identity fraud purposes if stolen.
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Register Offices
East Dereham
Breckland Business Centre
St Withburga Lane
DEREHAM
Norfolk
NR19 1FD
By appointment
Tel: 01362 697118
Thetford
King's House
King Street
THETFORD
Norfolk
IP24 2AP
By appointment
Tel: 01842 754115
Swaffham (limited hours)
Town Hall
SWAFFHAM
By appointment
Tel: 01842 754115
Watton (limited hours)
Wayland Hall
WATTON
By appointment
Tel: 01842 754115
You can also visit the following website for more information about registering a birth:
Norfolk County Council - register a birth
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