Birth registrations are by appointment only. You must book a slot online before attending our office.
Please read the following information and the information on https://www.gov.uk/register-birth before booking an appointment.
Registering a birth
You can now book an appointment online to register the birth of your child.
From 1st November Child Benefit easements via the Department of Work and Pension’s will end, this means to claim child benefit you will need a birth certificate. You can pre-pay for those when you book your appointment.
Where do I register a birth?
You should normally register a birth in the borough where the baby was born. If your baby was born in the London Borough of Camden, please make an appointment.
Do I need to get more than one copy of the birth certificate?
You are advised to purchase a minimum of 3 full certificates to be used for official purposes. You can buy extra certificates at your registration appointment.
Who can register a birth?
If you have questions email [email protected]
Parents married or in a civil partnership
Either parent can come to register the birth and both parents will be named on the birth certificate.
It is not necessary to bring your baby to the registration.
You must check before attending if your marriage or civil partnership is legally recognised in the country where it took place. If in doubt, please attend the appointment together.
Parents not married or in a civil partnership
Opposite sex couples
Both parents must attend together if father is to be listed on the birth certificate.
The birth mother can register without the father but the father's details will not be included on the birth certificate. It is possible to add his details at a later date by re-registration of the 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 of 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 seen 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
What do I need to bring to my appointment?
Please bring:
- the birth notification letter / after visit summary from the hospital, your baby’s red book
- photographic identification (such as passport or driving licence) for each parent of the child that will be recorded on the birth certificate
We will need to know:
- the date and place of the baby’s birth (if you have twins, triplets, etc. then the time of birth for each will be required)
- whether the baby is a boy or girl
- the forenames and surname of the baby
The baby’s mother:
- forenames and surname(s) including any maiden surnames)
- date and place of birth
- usual address at the date of baby’s birth
- occupation or previous occupation if not currently working
The baby’s father/parent (if relevant):
- forenames and surname(s)
- date and place of birth
- occupation or previous occupation if not currently working
Keepsake Folder for Birth Certificates
An A4 glossy card folder, with spaces for you to add your baby's details and their hand print and foot print inside.
You can order one at the end of the appointment booking process, or you can buy one at the Register Office reception when you attend. They cost £3.60.
Book an appointment
Before you book an appointment make sure you have read all the information above and on https://www.gov.uk/register-birth very carefully. A birth certificate is an important legal document for your baby.
Book an appointment