This page gives you the information that must be given to the registrar for the registration.

Child

• date and place of birth; if the birth is one of twins, triplets, etc the time of each child's birth will also be needed
• sex of the child
• the forename(s) and surname in which it is intended that the child will be brought up

Father (where this information is to be entered in the register)

• forename(s) and surname
• date and place of birth
• occupation at the time of the child's birth or, if not employed at that time, the last occupation

Mother

• forename(s) and surname
• maiden surname if the mother is, or has been, married
• date and place of birth
• occupation at the time of the child's birth or, if not employed at that time, the last occupation
• usual address at the date of the birth
• date of marriage, if married to the child's father at the time of the birth
  number of previous children by the present husband and by any former husband

It is most important that the information recorded in the birth register is correct. If any mistake is made, for example in the spelling of a name or surname or in the description of the father's or mother's occupation, it will give the parents or other person who registered the birth some trouble to have it put right. The person registering the birth should check the information to be recorded in the register very carefully before the entry is signed.

If English is not the mother's or father's first language and help is needed with registering the birth, it would be helpful for a relative or friend to accompany them to the registrar's office and act as interpreter. However, the parents must register the birth personally as a relative or friend cannot register instead of them.

You can obtain further information about correcting particulars in a birth registration.

What certificates will be issued?

After a birth has been registered, a short birth certificate showing the name, sex, date and district of birth is issued free of charge. The short certificate meets most ordinary needs but a full birth certificate, which is a complete copy of the register entry, is also available. Further short certificates and full certificates may be bought at the time of registration or at any time afterwards. You can obtain further information about obtaining certificates.