Registering a birth
Your baby's birth registration
We hope that all your questions on how to register the birth of, your baby are answered in the information below.
If you have any questions, please telephone the Bedfordshire Register Office (01234)290450 or e-mail:
lifeevents@bedscc.gov.uk|
When must I register my baby's birth?
The birth must be registered within 42 days of the birth of your child.
Where?
The birth should be registered in any of the offices within the district where the birth took place. If this is not possible, you may go to any Register Office in England and Wales to give information for the registration, but the birth will not be registered there. This information will be sent to the office where the birth took place and once they have registered the birth a free short birth certificate and a doctor's notification stating your baby's National Health Number will be forwarded to you.
By whom?
If the parents were married to each other at the time of the birth, either the mother or father can register the baby. If the parents were not married to each other at the time of the birth the father's details can only be entered in the register in the following circumstances:
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Where the mother and father attend together before the registrar to register the birth;
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Where the father is unable to attend with the mother,it is possible for him to make a legal declaration in front of a solicitor confirming that he is the father (copies of this form can be obtained from any registrar in England or Wales), which the mother should give to the registrar
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Were the mother is unable to attend the office with the father, it is possible for her to make a legal declaration, confirming the name of the father (copies of this form can be obtained from any registrar in England or Wales), which the father should give to the registrar
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Where either parent has obtained a relevant court order this should be given to the registrar who will advise you further. - However, please remember that you must still register, your baby within 42 days.
What if I can't speak English?
Please bring someone to help you register together with passports and marriage certificates, where possible. You can ask a friend or relative to come with you but please remember that they cannot come instead of you.
What information will the Registrar need?
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The date and place of your baby's birth. If the birth is one of twins, triplets, etc. then additionally, the time of each baby's birth.
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Whether the baby is a boy or girl.
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The forenames and surname of your baby.
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Fathers forenames, surname, date and place of birth and occupation. If he was not employed at that time, the occupation he last followed.
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Fathers address, if he was not married to the baby's mother.
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Mothers forenames and surname, date and place of birth her maiden surname will also be required if she is, or has been married. We will record mother's occupation, if she has one.
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Mothers usual address at the time of the birth
General information required by the Registrar
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If the parents were married to each other at the time of the birth, the date of the marriage.
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The number of children the mother has had previously, by her present husband and any former husband.
The Registrar will see you in private and will ask questions about your baby, and both parents. These will be recorded and you will be asked to check this twice and sign that the information recorded is correct. Please check this information carefully, as it is very difficult to correct this after you have signed. The registration will take about 30 minutes.
How much will the Registration cost?
The registration will cost nothing and you will receive a free birth certificate which shows:-
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The baby's names, date of birth, whether your baby is a boy or girl and the district of birth.
Additional certificates
If you would like a certificate which shows all the details recorded in the register, you can buy, one. The Registrar will advise you of the fees involved and this can be issued at the Registration at which time, you are also given the option to buy an extra short certificate. You can buy certificates at a later date but they will cost more - again, the Registrar gill advise you of the fees.
Stillbirths
A stillbirth must be registered in any of the offices within the district where the event took place normally within 42 days. For further information contact the Superintendent Registrar on (01234) 290450 or e-mail: lifeevents@bedscc.gov.uk|
Offices
Bedfordshire Register Office
Pilgrim House
20 Brickhill Drive
Bedford
MK41 7PZ
Tel: (01234) 290450
Email: lifeevents@bedscc.gov.uk|
Opening Hours - Monday - Friday 9.00 am - 4.30 pm
An appointment system is in operation.
Ampthill Register Office
Opening Hours - Monday, Wednesday and Friday
An appointment system is in operation.
Biggleswade Register Office
Opening Hours - Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
An appointment system is in operation.
Dunstable Register Office
Opening Hours - Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
An appointment system is in operation.
Leighton Buzzard Register Office
Opening Hours - Monday, Wednesday and Friday
An appointment system is in operation.