You need to make an appointment to register all births, deaths and stillbirths using the contact details on the top right hand side of the page.
Why do I need to register the birth of my baby?
You need to register your baby to get a birth certificate. You need this to claim child benefit and any other family-related benefits and get a National Health Service number which your doctor will need.
Who can register a birth?
Either the baby’s father or mother can register if they were married to each other at the time of the baby's birth.
If the parents are not married the father's details can only be entered in the register if both parents go together to register the birth. If this is not possible please contact us for advice.
The mother does not have to put the father’s details in the register when she registers the birth. If you want this doing at a later date you need to contact us for advice.
When do I have to register my baby?
The law says you must register your baby’s birth within 42 days.
It usually takes between 15 and 20 minutes to register the birth.
If you are not able to register the birth within the 42 days please contact us
To find out where our offices are and when they are open follow the link to Register offices in Leeds.
Where should the birth be registered?
The birth should be registered in the district where it occurred. If it is more convenient, details of the birth may be given at another register office in England or Wales by making a declaration. The documents you need will be posted out to you after two or three days.
What information do I need for the registrar?
For the baby
- The date and place of the baby's birth. If the birth is one of twins or triplets then the time of each baby's birth will be needed as it is entered in the register entries.
- Whether the baby is a boy or a girl
- The forename(s) and surname of the baby
For the father (where the details are to be entered in the register)
- Forename(s) and surname
- Date and place of birth
- Occupation at the time of the baby's birth, or if not employed, the last occupation
For the mother
- Forename(s) and surname, and any surnames which may have been used before marriage.
- Date and place of birth
- Address at the time of the baby's birth
- Occupation. If the mother has been working at any time before the birth her occupation can be put in the register.
- Date of marriage if applicable
- The number of previous children
It is important that the information recorded in the register is correct. You should check the entry in the register very carefully before you sign.
What documents will I receive?
When you register the birth you will get a short birth certificate (free) showing the child's name, sex and date of birth. If you want copies of short and full certificates (a certified copy of the full register entry) you can get these for £3.50 each when you register or £7.00 at a later date. You will also get a form that you need to fill in and give to your family doctor.
All certificates are Crown Copyright and cannot be photocopied.
Entry of forename after registration
You can change or add another forename(s), if it is given to the child within 12 months, to the birth entry. Please contact us for more information.
Re-registration
You may want the birth of your child re-registered if
- You have married the other natural parent since the birth of your child. If you do not re-register this could affect the legal rights of you and your child.
- Only the mother's details were originally entered in the birth register, but now both parents wish to have their details entered.
There is no charge for re-registration, but you may wish to have a birth certificate showing the re-registration details and you will have to pay the usual fee for this.
Please contact us for more information.