Frequently asked questions about registering a birth in Hampshire

When do I need to register my baby’s birth?

All babies must be registered within 42 days (six weeks) from the date of birth. Book an appointment to register your baby’s birth once the baby is born. Same day appointments are not available. Book an appointment here.

Where can I register the birth?

If your baby was born in Hampshire, you can register at any one of our 15 offices. Find your nearest register office by visiting hants.gov.uk/birthsdeathsandceremonies/registrationservices/registeroffices.

Please note that:

• babies born in Portsmouth can be registered at any of our Hampshire register offices, as well as with Portsmouth Registration Service
• babies born in Southampton can be registered at any of our Hampshire register offices, as well as with Southampton Registration Service
• babies born in Surrey can be registered at any of our Hampshire register offices, as well as with Surrey Registration Service

If you are unable to visit one of these offices, you may register at another register office in England or Wales, and your certificates will be posted to you.

If your baby was born elsewhere then you may complete a declaration in Hampshire and it will be sent to the relevant authority, and your certificates will be posted to you.

What does it mean to register by declaration?

If you cannot attend an office in the district where your baby was born, you can go to any other register office in England or Wales.

That office will send the details to the district where your baby was born, and your certificates will be sent to you in the post.

Who can register the birth?

If the baby’s natural parents were married to, or in a civil partnership with each other at the time of birth, then either parent can complete the registration.

If the baby’s natural parents were not married to, or in a civil partnership with each other at the time of birth and the other parent’s details are to be shown on the child’s birth certificate, both parents should attend at the register office together.

If both of the baby’s parents can’t attend together, one parent can complete the registration by bringing a statutory declaration with them. If you’re thinking of registering a birth in this way, please contact your local register office and we’ll give you more guidance.

What information will I need?

• Baby’s full name, gender, date and place of birth
• Parents’ full names, date and place of birth, addresses, occupations, and mother’s maiden name (if applicable)
• Date of parents’ marriage or civil partnership (if applicable)

What documents should I bring?

Take at least one form of identification when you go to the register office. You can use your:

• Passport
• Driving licence
• Birth certificate
• Deed poll
• Council tax bill
• Utility bill
• Marriage or civil partnership certificate

You must also take your baby’s personal child health record or ‘red book’, as the registrar will ask to see it.

Is there a fee to register the birth?

Registering a birth is free, however there is a fee for purchasing a birth certificate.

How much is a birth certificate?

• Standard certificate: £12.50
• Priority service: £38.50 (issued within 24 hours)

You can also purchase a commemorative certificate, and certificate box at the appointment, or online. Please note that commemorative certificates are not legal documents.

• Commemorative certificate purchased at the appointment: £5.00
• Commemorative certificate purchased online: £6.85 (Including postage)
• Commemorative certificate and certificate box purchased at the appointment: £15.00
• Commemorative certificate and certificate box purchased online: £16.85 (Including postage)

You can order commemorative certificates and certificate boxes by visiting: shop.hants.gov.uk/collections/registration-services

How do I order a birth certificate?

You can order and pay for certificates when booking your appointment online, or at your appointment.

You can also order birth certificates after the baby has been registered by visiting hants.gov.uk/birthsdeathsandceremonies/registrationservices/births/birth-certificates.

Can I order a birth certificate from abroad?

No. We only supply certificates to UK addresses as some overseas applicants might not be able to make online payments. To make this process easier, order your certificate from the General Register Office.

What is a commemorative birth certificate?

Commemorative birth certificates make a lovely gift or keepsake to cherish or make wonderful gifts for loved ones. They can be given to family members and displayed as treasured reminders of your baby’s birth. Or, they could be added as a keepsake to a baby journal, preserving the official certificate so the original is ready to be used when needed as your child grows up.

We have two different styles to choose from. Both are perfect mementos to cherish for years to come. We also have a certificate box available, perfect for storing your key life events.

Buy a commemorative certificate and certificate box by visiting shop.hants.gov.uk/collections/registration-services

There is a mistake on the birth certificate. What corrections can be made?

If you realise there is a mistake on the birth certificate, it may be possible to apply for this to be corrected.

More information about what can be changed, the correction process and fees can be found at hants.gov.uk/birthsdeathsandceremonies/registrationservices/births/correct-birth-registration.

What will the correction look like on the certificate?

The original information will always be shown on the certificate. After a correction has been authorised, a note will be added to the bottom of newly issued certificates. This note details the information that has been legally changed.

What happens if I change gender? Do I need to apply for a correction or order a new birth certificate?

Once your gender has been legally recognised you can order a birth certificate from the Gender Recognition Register here: gov.uk/apply-gender-recognition-certificate.

What if I need to re-register the birth?

To re-register a birth (to add a parent or after the marriage/civil partnership of the natural parents), you will need to attend an appointment.

This type of appointment cannot be booked online.

More information, including the application form, other documents needed and how to book the appointment can be found here hants.gov.uk/birthsdeathsandceremonies/registrationservices/births/re-register.

How do I register a stillbirth and what information is required?

If you need to register a stillbirth please contact us directly and we will guide you through the process.

Guidance and contact details can be found here hants.gov.uk/birthsdeathsandceremonies/registrationservices/deaths/register-stillbirth.

What is a baby loss certificate?

If your pregnancy ends before 24 weeks, you can request a free certificate in memory of your baby by visiting the UK government website gov.uk/request-baby-loss-certificate.

Please note that a baby loss certificate is an optional, non-legal document.

Can I have a welcoming ceremony for my baby?

Yes! Hampshire offers non‑legal welcoming ceremonies.

Learn more about Welcoming Ceremonies by visiting hants.gov.uk/birthsdeathsandceremonies/hampshireceremonies/welcoming-ceremonies.

How do I apply for Child Benefit?

Read the Gov.uk guide on Child Benefit which includes a link to the Child Benefit form CH2.