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Registration of births

If you're trying to decide on names for your baby you may be interested in the national statistics website on popular names in 2003. Go to Babies' Names 2006
Your baby's birth must be registered within 42 days of the date of birth.
 
Legislation
 
The main act and regulations governing the registration of Births and Deaths are
  • Births and Deaths Registration Act 1953 (as amended)
  • The Registration of Births and Deaths Regulations 1987(amended)
  • The Registration of Births and Deaths (Welsh Language) Regulations 1987 (as amended)

The registration systems in Scotland and Northern Ireland are different from that in England and Wales and each has its own General Register Office.


Where can I register the birth?
 
The birth will be registered in the District in which the birth occurred. However provision is available for you to attend any office in England and Wales to make a declaration of the particulars required for the registration. In that case, any birth certificates you require and the form issued to enable you to register your baby with a family doctor will be sent to you by post.
 
Who can register the birth?

Either the baby's father or mother can register the birth if they were married to each other at the time of baby's birth.
 
If the baby's parents are not married to each other, the father's details can only be entered into the register if both parents attend together to register the birth. If this is not possible, please telephone the register office for advice.
 
An Important change for unmarried couples
 
the right to be responsible for your child
  • The law is changing to make it easier for unmarried fathers to get equal parental responsibility: from 1 December 2003 all you have to do is for both parents to register the birth of your baby together.

 

  • Parental responsibility for your child gives you important legal rights as well as responsibilities.Without it, you don't have any right to be involved in decisions  such as where they live,their education, religion or medical treatment.With parental responsibility, you are treated in law as the childs parent, and you take equal responsibility for bringing them up.

 

  • Unlike mothers and married fathers, if you are not married to your baby's mother you do not automatically have parental responsibility for them.

 

Before this change, you could only gain parental responsibility by later marrying the child 's mother, signing an official agreement with the mother or getting a court order. You can still get responsibility in these ways - you might want to think about this if you have other children.

Need help to decide what to do?

Parentline plus have a free helpline where you can talk through the options and ask for advice.Call them on Parentline Plus 0808 800 2222 or Textphone 0800 783 6783


 
What information will I have to supply for the registration of baby's birth? 
 
Baby
  • the date and place of baby's birth. If the birth is one of twins, triplets etc. then the time of each baby's birth will also be required.
  • whether the baby is a boy or a girl.
  • the forenames and surname in which it is intended that the baby will be brought up.
Father (where these details are to be entered in the register)
  • his forenames and surname.
  • his date and place of birth.
  • his occupation at the time of baby's birth or, if he was not employed at that time, the occupation he last followed.
Mother
  • her forenames and surname. Her maiden surname will also be required if she is, or has been, married.
  • her date and place of birth.
  • her usual address at the date of the birth.
  • her occupation (optional). If she has been employed at any time before the birth this occupation can be entered in the register if she so wishes.
You must register the birth personally, you cannot ask a relative or friend to attend instead of you.
 
What certificates will I be issued with?

After the birth has been registered you will be given a short birth certificate which is issued free of charge. The short birth certificate meets most ordinary needs but a full birth certificate, which is a complete copy of the entry in the register, can be purchased. A full copy will be required to obtain a passport.
 
You will also be issued with a form to register baby with a doctor.
 
Further short birth certificates and full birth certificates can be purchased at the time of registration or at any time afterwards.
 
Please telephone for an appointment to register baby's birth 0161-253-6026.

Office Hours 9.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday.
Closed 1st Thursday each month from 2.00pm.
 
For more information about registering births visit the General Register Office website at http://www.gro.gov.uk