How to Register a Birth in the UK
Every birth in England and Wales must be registered within 42 days (21 days in Scotland) at a register office. Registration itself is free — you pay only for certified copies of the birth certificate, which your child will need for passports, benefits, and school enrolment for life.
The Steps
Follow these in order
Each card shows the phase, expected time, and any cost. Data checked against official UK sources(2025-Latest).
0 of 6 steps
- Before You Go 10 min
Book an appointment at the register office
Register at the register office for the district where the baby was born (any register office in England and Wales can take the details, but they must forward them, which delays certificates). Appointments take about 30 minutes and both parents can attend.
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- Go
Attend with the right documents
Bring the hospital discharge papers, your ID, and your marriage certificate if married. Unmarried parents: both must attend and sign for the father to appear on the certificate, or one parent can register alone (father omitted) — the certificate can later be re-registered to add him.
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- Fill / Prepare
Give the details and sign the register
You provide the baby's name, date and place of birth, parents' names, dates of birth, places of birth, occupations, and address. Choose the name carefully — changes after registration require a new certificate process and a fee.
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- Submit & Pay 5 min
Buy certified copies of the certificate
Registration is free, but buy several certified copies at the appointment — £12.50 each in England and Wales. You will need them repeatedly: passport applications, Child Benefit, school enrolment, and later, the child's own driving licence.
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- Follow Up
Check your child's citizenship status
A UK birth certificate does not automatically mean British citizenship. Children born in the UK are British if at least one parent was British or settled (ILR) at the time of birth. Otherwise the child may be able to register as British after you get settled status or after 10 years of residence.
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- Receive
Use the certificate for everything that follows
The birth certificate unlocks the paperwork chain: add the child to your Child Benefit claim, apply for their first passport (if eligible), and register with a GPGeneral Practitioner — Your local NHS family doctor — the first point of contact for healthcare in the UK. Register with a GP surgery to access care.Click for official info ↗. Keep the certificates somewhere safe — they are the child's primary identity document for decades.
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I miss the 42-day deadline?
You can still register late, but you may be asked to explain the delay and, in rare cases, the registration service can involve the courts. Register as soon as possible — hospitals do not register births for you.
Can I register my baby if I do not speak English?
Yes. You can bring a friend or family member to interpret (not your partner if they are also a parent being registered). Some register offices offer interpreting services — ask when booking.
My baby was born in the UK but I am on a work visa. Is my child British?
Not automatically. Citizenship by birth requires a parent who is British or settled (has ILR) at the time of birth. Your child is a visa holder like you and can typically be added as a dependant. Once you obtain settled status, the child may be able to register as a British citizen.
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