Register a birth

• Who can use it?
• How do I use it?
• What happens next?
• How long does it take?
• How much does it cost?
• Where is it?
• When is it open?

Who can use it?

If the parents are married to each other at the time of the birth - either parent can complete the registration.

If the parents are not married to each other at the time of birth and the father's details are to be shown on the child's birth certificate, both parents should attend at the Register Office together.

If it is really not possible for both parents to attend together, the law allows for one parent to complete the registration by bringing with them a 'statutory declaration' which has been signed by the other parent in front of a 'Notary Public' (Solicitor or magistrate for example).

If you are thinking of registering a birth in this way, please contact your local Register Office, who will be able to give you further advice as well as the correct form to sign.

Further information and a downloadable version of the form can also be found on the General Register Office website. See Information and Resources.

How do I use it?

You will need to make an appointment at a Registration Office convenient to you. A list of all Somerset Registration Offices can be found under the Contacts tab.

When you arrive for your appointment the Registrar will ask you for the following information:

• The full name and surname in which the child will be brought up.
• Date and place of birth of the child.
• Full name and surname of the parent(s).
• Parent(s) place of birth.
• Parent(s) occupation.
• Date of Marriage of parents (if applicable)

Once the birth registration is complete, you will be asked if you would like us to contact other government and local council departments on your behalf to inform them of the birth of your baby.    If you want to use the service we will ask you some simple questions.  This means that you won't have to send a copy of the birth certificate in the post as we will contact the organisations that need to know on your behalf. 

We can contact the following organisations and services if you ask us to:

• Department for Work and Pensions
  • Jobcentre Plus
• Housing Benefit office
• Council Tax benefit office
• Library services
• Children's services (family information services)
• HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)
  • Child Benefit
  • Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit

Please note, that if you would like to make an application for Child Benefit, one or both of the child's parents must attend the registration appointment with the following:

• A completed Child Benefit Form and the pre-paid envelope, which you will have received in your Bounty Pack.
• Your National Insurance Number (and that of your partner if you are making a joint claim for Child Benefit)

What happens next?

After the registration you will be issued with a short birth certificate free of charge. You will also receive a form to enable you to register the baby with your family doctor.

If you have asked us to inform other government agencies of the birth, the relevant agencies will be in contact with you directly.

How long does it take?

You will be given a private appointment with the Registrar and the registration will take around 30 minutes.

How much does it cost?

The entire service is free.

You will receive a free short birth certificate. A short certificate shows the child's name and sex as well as their date and place of birth. This can be used to claim child benefit if you have not given us your child benefit application form. A full certificate is required to apply for a passport.

If you require a full certificate, the cost is £3.50 at the time of registration. After this, the fee increases to £7.00 and once the register is archived, £9.00.  A full certificate includes details of parents' names, occupation and place of birth as well as the details included in the short certificate.

Where is it?

You can register the birth at any Register Office in Somerset. Please see Contacts.

When is it open?

You can register the birth at any Register Office in Somerset. Please see Contacts.

Somerset is a 'Unified District', which means that if your baby was born in Somerset you can register at any office in the County.

If your baby was born outside Somerset, you can register the birth 'by declaration' at any Register office in England or Wales. This means that the details you give to the Registrar will be sent to the correct District to be registered. If you decide to register by declaration, you will not receive any birth certificates immediately; these will be forwarded to you once the registration has been completed in the District of birth, usually within a week.