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Council Services

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Registering a Birth

FAQs

Can you tell me the time of my birth?
Sorry - we only hold the times of births for multiple births.
Do I need an appointment to register?
Not for births that happened in Newham General. For births in other areas, re-registrations or if you want to register on a Saturday, you will need an appointment.
Do I have to bring the baby?
No - not required - bring the discharge letter from the hospital
Do both parents have to come to register?
If the parents are married to each other then either parent can register. If the parents are not married then the mother must come in. If the father comes in with the mother, and he is not married to the mother then his details can be included on the birth register and certificate, otherwise that section relating to the father will be left blank.
I'm not married to the baby's father and he can't come in to register with me. Can I give the baby the father's name?
You can give the baby whatever names you wish, but once the birth has been registered it is very difficult to change a child's surname in the register.
I registered my baby's birth, but I don't like the name I gave her. Can I change it?
You have up to a year from the day you registered to change, add or amend given names - but you cannot change the surname.
How much does it cost to register?
Nothing - you get a birth certificate showing the baby's names, date and district of birth free. A full certificate showing parents names is £3-50
What documents do I need to register?
The discharge letter from the hospital is important, if you have passports to hand bring those too. However, you can register without any documents.
Can I register over the phone?
No - either the mother or father (or sometimes both) must come in person.
Can I register on a Saturday?
Only by prior appointment.
When my baby was registered her mother didn't include my details - how can I get on to my daughter's birth certificate?
You can re-register the birth to include father's details. Come in to the Register Office and collect the appropriate form, and book an appointment.
I live in Newham but my baby wasn't born in Newham General - can I register with you?
No - we can only register Newham births here. However, you can make a declaration of particulars with us, to send to the appropriate Register Office. However, you will not get the birth certificate from us, or the paper to register with the GP. Both will come from the Register Office for the area where baby was born. You must make an appointment to do a declaration to another district.
How long do I have to register?
42 days
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.
Can anyone else apart from the parents register a birth?
Although the majority of births are registered by the parents, sometimes neither the mother or the father are able to do this. In these circumstances, the registrar will arrange for the registration to be completed by whichever of the following people is best able to do so: • the occupier of the house or hospital where the child was born • a person who was present at the birth • a person who is responsible for the child.
What information do I need to provide to register a birth?
• date and place of birth • if the birth is of twins, triplets etc., the time of each child's birth will be needed • sex of the child • the forename(s) and surname in which it is intended that the child will be brought up. Father • 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.
What happens if the birth is registered late?
If a birth occurs in England and Wales and has not been registered within 12 months of its occurrence it is possible for the late registration of the birth 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 he 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.

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