Re-register a birth

Find out when you need to re-register a birth, and how to book an appointment.

What re-registration is

Re-registration means making a new record in the birth register. There are 2 situations where you will need to have your child's birth re-registered:

  • if the parents have married since the birth of the child (even if the natural father's details were originally entered in the birth register), you are legally required to re-register the birth
  • if the parents are not married but you wish to add the natural father’s name on the birth record

It is free to re-register a birth. You can buy a copy of the birth certificate at any time for £12.50.

How to re-register a birth

You will need to complete a re-registration form. The form you need to complete will depend on your situation.

When you have completed the form, you need to make an appointment with the register office to re-register the birth and bring the completed form to your appointment.

You need to re-register the birth at the register office in the district where the baby was born. For births in Brighton & Hove, this is Brighton Town Hall.

To book an appointment to re-register a birth, contact our Register Office

Register Office
  • 01273 292 016

    • Contact the Register Office Team for marriage and civil partnership ceremonies, commitment renewal of vows and naming ceremonies, citizenship ceremonies and the registration of births and deaths.

More information about Register Office

If your baby was born outside Brighton & Hove

You need to re-register the birth at the local register office in the district where the baby was born.

Find a register office in England or Wales

If you cannot re-register the birth in the area where the baby was born, you can go to another register office and they will send your details to the correct office.

What to take to the appointment

When you have booked your birth re-registration appointment, along with your completed re-registration form, you'll need to bring:

  • the child's original birth certificate
  • a photo ID for yourself, such as:
    • current passport
    • driving licence
  • proof of address (such as a council tax bill)

If the re-registration is for after a marriage (LA1) you will also need to bring a marriage certificate.

If there’s been a ‘Declaration of Parentage’

A Declaration of Parentage is when the court decides who the father of a baby is. If there has been a Declaration of Parentage, the court will tell the General Register Office and the birth will be re-registered.

You do not need to re-register the birth in this situation, but you may wish to order a new birth certificate.