Register a birth

There are no longer restrictions on the number of people who can attend a birth registration. However please note that our offices have a capacity of 2 to 3 adults only.

If you're not married or in a civil partnership

If you are not married or in a legal civil partnership, and want both parents’ details on the birth certificate:

• you must register the birth together, or
• one of you can register the birth with a statutory declaration of parentage form (PDF, 30KB) signed by the other parent. This must be brought to the registration appointment.

The mother can choose to register a birth without including the father’s details if you are not married or in a legal civil partnership. You can add the father’s details later by re-registering the birth.

If you are married or in a civil partnership

If you are married or in a legal civil partnership, either the mother or father can register the birth. Both parents’ details will appear on the birth certificate.

There are slightly different rules about who can register a birth if you are a same-sex couple, or neither parent is able to attend an appointment.