Frequently Asked
Questions

All births in England, Wales and Northern Ireland must be registered within 42 days of the child being born.

Married parents

Either parent can register the birth on their own. They can include both parents’ details if they were married when the baby was born or conceived.

Unmarried parents

The details of both parents can be included on the birth certificate if one of the following happens:

• they sign the birth register together
• one parent completes a statutory declaration of parentage form and the other takes the signed form to register the birth
• one parent goes to register the birth with a document from the court (for example, a court order) giving the father parental responsibility.

The mother can choose to register the birth without the child’s father if they’re not married. The father’s details will not be included on the birth certificate.

It might be possible to add the father’s details later by completing an application for the re-registration of a child’s birth.

Same-sex female couples

Female couples can include both their names on their child’s birth certificate when registering the birth.

Married or civil-partner parents

Either parent can register the birth on their own if all the following are true:

• the mother has a child by donor insemination or fertility treatment
• she was married or in a civil partnership at the time of the treatment

Unmarried, non-civil-partner parents

When a mother is not married or in a civil partnership, her partner can be considered as the child’s second parent if both women:

• are treated together in the UK by a licensed clinic
• have made a ‘parenthood agreement’

However, for both parents’ details to be recorded on the birth certificate, they must do one of the following:

• register the birth jointly
• complete a ‘Statutory declaration of acknowledgement of parentage’ form and one parent takes the signed form when she registers the birth
• get a document from the court (for example, a court order) giving the second female parent parental responsibility and one parent shows the document when she registers the birth

Same-sex male couples

Male couples must get a parental order from the court before they can be registered as parents.

Other people who can register a birth

If the parents cannot register the birth (for example, for medical reasons), certain other people can do it:

• someone who was present at the birth
• someone who is responsible for the child
• a member of the administrative staff at the hospital where the child was born

There are 2 types of birth certificate:

• the short version, which contains only the baby’s details
• the full version, which also contains the parents’ details

Once you have registered the birth, you’ll be able to buy a short or full certificate for your baby. Both kinds cost £4.

If you register the birth in another area, you’ll get it a certificate in a few days. If you register the birth in the area where it took place, you’ll get it a lot sooner.