Newham

Registering a birth

Having a baby is an exciting and busy time, however it is important that you register your baby within 42 days from the date of birth.

Where to register a birth

If your baby was born in Newham

If your baby was born in Newham, you must come to the Newham Register Office to register the birth. 
You do not need to make an appointment, but we recommend you arrive at 3.45pm at the latest. We cannot guarantee that you will be able to register the birth if you arrive after 4pm.

If your baby was born somewhere else:

If your baby was born somewhere other than Newham, the birth will have to be registered in the district where it happened. If you telephone us we can give you the telephone number of the appropriate register office.
 
If you are unable to go to the appropriate register office it is sometimes possible for us to forward the details for you. Please call to make an appointment before visiting us.
 
If the baby was born in Scotland or Northern Ireland or any overseas country the birth will have to be registered in those countries - again we can provide advice.
 
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Who can register a birth

Married parents

Either the mother or father can register the birth on their own if they were married at the time of the birth.
 

Unmarried parents

If the parents were not married to each other, the father's details can only be entered in the register if:
  • the mother and father register the birth together
  • one parent completes a statutory declaration of parentage form and the other parent takes it to register the birth
  • either parent registers the birth with a document from the court giving the father parental responsibility.
If English is not the first language of the parents they can ask a friend or relative to help register the birth. However, the parent(s) must also be there, as a relative or friend cannot register instead of them.
 

Information you must give to the registrar

Documents

You must bring your discharge papers and at least one type of identification:
  • passport
  • birth certificate
  • deed poll
  • driving licence
  • proof of address (such as a utility bill)
  • Council Tax bill
  • marriage or civil partnership certificate.

You must bring identification for both parents of the child - even if only one of you comes to the register office to register the birth.

Child

  • date and place of the birth
  • name, surname and sex of the baby

You must decide on your baby's name and surname before you visit the register office. You might not be able to change the name after you have registered the birth.

Father (if his details are to be entered in the Register)

  • name and surname
  • date and place of birth
  • job at the time of the child's birth or, if he was not working at the time, his last job.

Mother

  • name and surname, plus her maiden name if she has ever been married
  • date and place of birth
  • job (optional), if she has been employed at any time before the birth
  • 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 other children by the present partner and by any former partners.
The registrar will enter the information on to a computer and you will be asked to check that it is correct.
 
 

Certificate fees

It is free to register a birth.

A full birth certificate or short birth certificate costs £4 at the time of the birth and £10 for any additional certificates issued at a later date. 

Note, we do not accept cash. You must pay using a credit or debit card.

Find out how to purchase copy certificates
 
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Related documents

Contact us

  • Newham Registration Service
    London Borough of Newham,
    207 Plashet Grove
    East Ham
    London
    E6 1BT

    020 8430 2000