How to register your baby's birth

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What does it involve?

The health authority or hospital where your baby was born will notify the registrar of your baby's birth. You then have to register it yourself.
You can register the birth at any Register Office, although it may take a few days longer to process if you go to one in a different district to where your baby was born.
Registration of births in England and Wales is handled by the General Register Office (GRO). Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own General Register Offices. They are based in the local council (or London or Metropolitan borough) office. To find your nearest, go to the General Register website gro.gov.uk or look in the phone book.
Some hospitals have facilities for registering your baby's birth before you leave. So if you've had your baby in hospital, do ask.

Who can register the birth?

If you were married at the time of your baby's birth or conception, either you or your partner can register the birth. If you're not married and want the father's details on the register, then you will both have to go and sign the birth register together, or show a declaration of the father's paternity (you can get this form can from the registrar).

Most parents register their child's birth, but sometimes neither the mother nor father can attend. In this case, registration can be done by: