Must I register my baby's birth?
 Where can I register?
 Can I register elsewhere?
 Where is the Wandsworth Register Office?
 Must I make an appointment?
 Who may register?
 What happens when I talk to the Registrar?
 What will I need to know to register?
 What will I be given?
 Do I need further copies of the birth certificate?
 What will it cost?
 Further information
 Emergency help
 Complaints
 Directory of faith communities in Wandsworth

Must I register my baby's birth?
Yes, you are legally required to do so. Your baby's birth must be registered within forty-two days of the date of birth.

If the baby has been born in the Wandsworth District you should register the baby at the Wandsworth Register Office.

Where can I register?
The birth must be registered in the registration district in which it occurred. If the baby has been born in the Wandsworth district, then you should register the baby at the Wandsworth Register Office.

Can I register elsewhere?
If coming to the Wandsworth Register Office is not convenient, then you can go to any register office in England and Wales to provide the particulars required for the registration. That register office will then forward the details to us and we will record the birth and post to you any birth certificates you require together with a medical card to enable you to register your baby with a doctor.

Where is the Wandsworth Register Office?
We are located in Wandsworth Town Hall, Wandsworth High Street, SW18. The Register Office is based on the ground floor and has direct easy access for disabled and elderly visitors and also for parents with prams and pushchairs. There are toilet and baby changing facilities within the Register Office.

More information

Must I make an appointment?
If your baby was born outside of the London Borough of Wandsworth please ring to arrange an appointment for a Declaration of Birth. For babies born within the London Borough of Wandsworth no, but you can do so if you prefer. We operate both a drop-in service and an appointment service.

Our drop-in service operates from 9am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday. We aim to see all callers within thirty minutes of arriving. You can make an appointment to be seen during these hours. However, if registering during these hours is inconvenient, we can offer an appointment on Saturday morning or an early morning appointment from 8.30am during the week.

If you would like an appointment, then you can make one by telephoning the Register Office (020 8871 6120/1 or our Minicom line 020 8871 8642 for deaf people). You can also make an appointment online.

Who may register?
If you were married at the time of birth, it is possible for either parent to register the birth. However, if the parents were not married, the father's details can be entered into the register only if both of the parents attend together to register the birth. If this is not possible, please telephone the Register Office for advice.

If the parents are not married it is not necessary to have the father's details included in the register. If you do not wish to have the father's details registered then simply tell the Registrar who will only ask the other relevant questions mentioned later in this leaflet. If the father's details are not entered at the time of registration, there are special procedures which allow the details to be entered at a later date and you will need to contact us so that we can explain these procedures to you.

What happens when I talk to the Registrar?
The Registrar will see you in private and ask questions about the baby and the baby's parents.

The Registrar will write down the details in the birth register (the information will also be entered into a birth registration computer file).

You will be asked to check the information entered in the register carefully, and to sign that it is correct. It is important that you check the entry in the register very carefully before you sign.

What will I need to know to register?
You will need to provide the following information:

• the place and date of birth of the baby;
• if the birth is one of twins, triplets etc., then the time of each baby's birth will also be needed;
• the baby's forename(s), surname (you may give whatever surname you wish) and sex;
• the baby's parents' forenames, surnames and places of birth;
• the mother's address;
• the baby's parents' occupations;
• the baby's mother's maiden surname;
• the number of any previous children; and
• if the parents are married - the date.

What will I be given?
A free short birth certificate will be given to you together with a form to enable you to register the baby with a doctor.

Do I need further copies of the birth certificate?
Not at the time of registration but you may choose to purchase a certificate showing all the details recorded in the register (fee £3.50) You may require this certificate for a passport application, proof of parentage etc. You may find additional copies helpful for future use.

These certified copies of the register entry can be provided in printed form, or in hand-written form, if you prefer. The copies can be provided either at the time of the registration or at a later date (when they will cost £7).

What will it cost?
The registration of a birth is free of charge as is the short birth certificate and notification for your doctor. However, if you want further copies of the entry, a fee is payable. The fees are set by Parliament and are regularly reviewed. The Register Office will be able to advise you of the current scale of fees. Certificates are supplied at a reduced fee at the time of registration, currently £3.50.

More information

Further information
We will be pleased to offer further advice or information should you have any queries. Please do not hesitate to telephone the Register Office on 020 8871 6120/1 between the hours of 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday. Outside these hours an answerphone service is in operation. For deaf people, we have a Minicom line 020 8871 8642.

If you would prefer to make a personal visit to the Register Office, then either come along between 9am and 4.30pm, Monday to Friday, or telephone for an appointment.

Emergency help
If you require emergency assistance outside our normal office hours, please telephone 020 8871 6900 and ask to be put in touch with the Superintendent Registrar.

Complaints
You will find information on how to make a complaint at About the Register Office.