Register a birth

Who can register a birth

All births in England, Wales and Northern Ireland must be registered within 42 days of the child being born. See who can register a birth on the GOV.UK website.

Parental responsibility

Mothers automatically have parental responsibility. By including the father on the birth certificate, they also have parental responsibility.

Learn more about parental responsibility on the GOV.UK website.

Where to register your child's birth

You must register your baby at the register office in the district where the baby was born. For births in Brighton & Hove, this is Brighton Town Hall.

If you live outside Brighton & Hove, but within East Sussex, you can also register a baby born in Brighton & Hove at Lewes Register Office

If your baby was born outside Brighton & Hove

You need to register your baby at the local register office in the district where the baby was born.

Find a register office in England or Wales

If you cannot 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.

If you are a foreign national

You can find information about your baby's citizenship eligibility on the GOV.UK website.

How to register a birth

To register a birth, you need to book an appointment.

Book an appointment online

You can use our online form to book an appointment to register a birth online.

Book an appointment to register a birth

Book an appointment over the phone

If you prefer, you can phone our Register Office to book an appointment

What to take to the appointment

When you have booked your birth registration appointment, you will be asked to bring with you:

• current passport
• proof of address (such as a council tax bill)
• driving licence
• if applicable your marriage or civil partnership certificate
• if applicable your name change documents such as name deed or deed poll

Registration is free. You can buy a copy of the birth certificate at registration for £12.50. You can pay by debit or credit card. You can also buy extra copies of the birth certificate at any time.

Information you’ll need to give us

At the birth registration appointment, we will ask you for information about the baby and parents:

Baby

• date and place of birth
• whether the baby is a boy or a girl
• the full name and surname in which the baby is to be brought up

Mother

• full names and surname (and any other names they have used)
• date and place of birth
• address at the time of the baby’s birth
• their occupation

Father or co-parent (If his/her details are to be entered in the register)

• full names and surname (and any other names they have used)
• date and place of birth
• their occupation

Please check the details carefully before you sign the entry while you are at your appointment.

Correction fees

If you need to make a change or a correction to the birth certificate. there is a charge of £83 or £99 (depending on the type of correction). ​​Forenames added within 12 months of birth registration will cost £44 plus a £12.50 certificate fee.