Registering a Birth
Who can register the birth?
If the parents are married to each other at the time of the birth, either the mother or the father can register the baby. However, if the parents are not married to each other at the time of the birth, the father's details can only be entered in the register in the following circumstances:
- Where the mother and the father attend together before the Registrar to register the birth and both sign the register
- or where the father is unable to attend with the mother it is possible for him to make a statutory declaration in the presence of a Justice of the Peace, Solicitor, Commissioner for Oaths or Magistrate confirming that he is the father, which the mother should produce to the Registrar (copies of this form can be obtained from any Register Office in England and Wales)
- or where the mother is unable to attend the office with the father, it is possible for her to make a statutory declaration, in the presence of (the aforementioned authorities) confirming the name of the father, which the father should produce to the Registrar
- or where either parent has obtained a relevant court order which should be produced to the Registrar who will advise you further.
The mother can register the birth on her own but the father's details will not be recorded in the register. There are circumstances in which other people may be legally qualified to register the birth. However, these are unusual and you should contact the Register Office for advice.
Please remember one of the parents must register the birth in person. They cannot ask a friend or relative to register the birth on their behalf.