Register a birth
Register a new birth or find out when you must re-register a birth and how to do this. Request copies of birth certificates.
Re-registering a birth
Re-register a birth if:
- you want to add the natural father's name and address to your child's birth entry if it is currently blank; use form GRO 185
- since the original certificate was issued, you've married or entered into a civil partnership with the child's father; use form LA1
Re-registration is only available for births that happened in England or Wales.
Return your completed form to us. We can approve most re-registrations. But, the Registrar General may need to consider some.
You can re-register with us. You must sign a declaration if you cannot visit the original registry office.
To book an appointment send an email to registrars@southwark.gov.uk containing:
- your name and contact details
- the child's full name
- the child's date of birth
- the place of birth
- the type of re-registration, after marriage or civil partnership or to include natural parent's details and re-register by declaration
Once we receive your email, we will contact the relevant register office for a copy of the birth entry and email you to make a 30-minute re-registration appointment.
For this appointment, you must bring:
- a completed LA1 or GRO 185 form
- your child’s birth certificate
- your photo IDs
- a marriage certificate if relevant
We do not charge for re-registering a birth. Copies of birth certificates cost £12.50 each.
Contact us
You can:
- email registrars@southwark.gov.uk
- phone 0207 525 7669
You can also write to us at:
34 Peckham Road
London
SE5 8QA
Our Register office is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm.