Registering Birth

Southwark register office helps to ensure that the registration of the birth of your baby goes smoothly and efficiently. Here, you can find out what you will need to do.

You can obtain a copy of a birth certificate online.

How do I register the birth?

You must do this within 42 days of the birth of your baby. You can register at the Southwark register office after making an appointment. If you decide to register at any other register office in England and Wales, you need to make what is called "a declaration". In this case the certificate and card will be sent to you by post.

Who can register the birth?

The child's mother can automatically register the birth. The father can only do so if you were married at the time of the birth, or if you are not married he can do so only if

You both attend in person at the register office
He does not attend but makes a statutory declaration acknowledging his paternity, using the official form obtainable from us and submits this at the time of registration
There is a court order in force or a parental responsibility agreement

Contact us for further advice on these and other legal aspects. If the child's mother is not married to the child's father, you are not obliged to have his details included on the certificate. You can always enter these at a later date.

Information we need for the registration

Below is a checklist of information you need to give us at the time of registration.

For the baby

The date and place of baby's birth. In the case of twins, triplets, etc you need to give times of birth
Whether the baby is a boy or a girl
The forenames and surnames for the baby

For the mother

Your forenames and surname. Your maiden name if you are married and also whether you are married or have been married in the past
Your date and place of birth
Your usual address at the time of the birth
Your occupation at the time of the birth or at any time prior to the birth
If you are married, the date of your marriage
The number of previous children by your present husband or any former husband

For the father

Your forenames and surname
Your date and place of birth
Your occupation at the time of birth or prior to the birth

Please remember that the information you give us is very important and should be correct. You will be asked to check the information in the entry before you sign. Make sure you do this carefully. If mistakes are made for example in the spelling of names, it is very difficult to change them later.

What certificates will I be issued with?

After the registration entry has been made you will be given a short birth certificate free of charge. This usually meets most requirements. However, for a small fee you can purchase a copy of the full certificate. You are also able to buy further copies of both the short and full certificates at any time.

Contact us

Southwark register office
Tel: 020 7525 7651
Fax: 020 7525 7652
34 Peckham Road
London SE5 8QA
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm