What are the bits you need to do when registering a birth?

You’re home cuddling or feeding your new baby, when you have the thought… What are all the official bits I need to do? 

Rest assured, there’s not actually that much you (legally) need to do. Once you’ve chosen a name and registered your baby (just make sure you do this in person within 6 weeks), the rest pretty much follows on.

Check out our handy guide for how to register a birth and more.

What Paperwork Do I Need When I Have A Baby?

You’ll be given a ‘red book’ (a Personal Child Health Record) by either the midwife in hospital or following a home birth. 

This has all the handy things you need to know for your baby. Including a sticker with their NHS number, birth weight, time and gestation. If you have already chosen a name, your baby’s name should be on the sticker. If not, don’t worry if it just says ‘baby’ and their surname. You have up to 6 weeks to choose a name. And it’s not legal anyway until you go to the registry office. So there’s loads of time to change your mind!

The ‘red book’ also has height and weight charts, and tables where you and the midwives can track your baby’s weight over the first few days or weeks. This can be really handy to plot on the weight chart and see how your baby is feeding and growing. It’s very normal for babies to lose a little weight after birth and then put it back on once feeding gets established. 

You can use the red book information to help you when you go to the registry office and officially register your baby!

What Do I Need To Apply For After My Baby Is Born?

Start by registering the birth and your baby with your local GP. Do this as soon as you can in case they need an appointment. It’s good to know that any baby who isn’t yet registered can still receive emergency treatment at any GP surgery. 

Remember that once you have had midwife visits, you should have a health visitor come to see you at home around day 10. So you will have the opportunity to ask them lots of questions too.

You also need to decide when you would like to go to the registry office. You’ll need to  make an appointment in advance. You legally have up to 6 weeks (42 days) to do this , so you have lots of time to try out different names and see what suits your baby. 

You can go on your own (or your partner can go on their own) if you are married or in a civil partnership. If you aren’t married or in a civil partnership, and want the other parent’s details on the birth certificate, then you will need to go together. So make sure you choose a time when you and your partner are both free.

Of course, lots of parents both want to go together anyway!

For many parents, registering the birth can be really exciting and actually one of the first days out they have together from the house. So you can make the most of the morning (or afternoon). Maybe go for lunch, or a coffee together afterwards, particularly if it coincides with your baby’s nap time – which, in the newborn phase, can be pretty much guaranteed!

How Do I Register A Birth?

First, find your closest registry office. 

You’ll usually need at least one form of ID, like a passport, driving licence or marriage certificate. Check here for all the details of what to bring.

You should also take your baby’s red book (their Personal Child Health Record (PCHR) along with you. 

The registrar will ask you to provide details such as place, date of birth, name of your baby, parents’ names, addresses and occupations etc. Click here for the full list. 

Registering a birth is free, but you will need to pay about £12.50 for a full birth certificate. You need a full birth certificate to apply for a passport or school place.

Did you know that if you’re out of the area where your baby was born, you can make an appointment at an office in a different area, and they will do the rest?

Just remember to attend an appointment within the legal 42-day limit!

Why Do Babies Need To Be Registered?

Registering a baby gives them their birth certificate, which is their first legal form of identity. 

Birth certificates are usually sent through the post after your appointment. 

Once you’ve registered your baby’s birth, you can then apply for benefits like child benefit or child tax credit.

Child benefit is £25.60 a week for the first child, and £16.85 for additional children. 

If you or your partner are in a ‘high income’ bracket, you may have to pay a tax charge to receive benefit payments. Or you can opt out of payments altogether and not pay the charge. But you should still fill in the Child Benefit Claim form to receive other automatic benefits like National Insurance credits. 

What Are The Advantages Of Filling In The Child Benefit Claim Form?

Even if you think that you won’t claim the child benefit payments, you should still make an application for Child Benefit as it will give you National Insurance credits. Credits count towards your State Pension if you’re not working or earning enough to pay N.I. contributions. These credits are automatic when you have a child under 12. 

Your child will also be sent a National Insurance number automatically just before their 16th birthday. So it removes the faff of having to apply for that later down the line!

What Else Can I Apply For?

Once your baby has a birth certificate, you can apply for a passport for them. If you are budding travellers, or have family who live abroad, you may want a passport while your child is still a baby.

Want to get out and about, have fun with your baby or toddler, and meet other parents?

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