Birth - Registering

Having a baby is an exciting time, but you may not realise that the birth needs to be registered.

By law, you have to register your baby within 42 days from the date of birth, in the district where the birth takes place. However, if you live in Hackney and had the baby elsewhere, it is possible to provide all the details to the registrar in Hackney, who will then forward these to the registrar for the district where the baby was born.

Births must be registered at the Register Office in the Town Hall. To make an appointment please contact the office using the details on the right.

Who can register a birth?

If you are married, either parent can go along to Hackney Town Hall and register the baby's birth. If you are not married, both parents must attend the registration if you would like the father's name to be entered in the registration book.

Information needed for registration

You don’t have to bring anything along to the registration – although it is very helpful to bring the mother’s hospital discharge papers as it will show the baby’s NHS number and birth weight.

When you go to see the registrar, you will need to provide the following information:

• The baby's forename(s), surname and sex
• Date of birth and where the baby was born
• If the birth is multiple, e.g. twins, then the time of each baby's birth is also needed
• The baby's parents' forenames, surnames and places of birth
• The mother's address
• The baby's parents' occupations
• The baby's mother's maiden surname
• The number of any other children by the same mother
• If applicable - the date of the parent's marriage

Once these details have been given and agreed, the registrar will provide you with a birth certificate. This initial copy is free.

You will also be given a doctor's form, allowing you to register the baby at a local surgery.

If you require further advice about registering a birth in Hackney please contact us on 0208 356 3000. More information can also be found on the General Register Office website (see useful websites box on the right).

Registering a birth after 12 months

If a birth has not been registered within 12 months it is possible for the late registration to be authorised by the Registrar General provided certain requirements can be met.

Before the Registrar General can authorise a late registration of a birth they must be satisfied, by documentary evidence, of the child's exact date and place of birth. There must also be a person available who can attend any Register Office in England and Wales to give the information for the registration.

For more information about applying for a late registration of an unregistered birth, please contact registrars using the details on the right.

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Page updated: 8 Dec 2008