Registering a Birth

We know how stressful it can be when you've just had a baby, and Islington Council Registry Services try and make it as easy as possible for you to register your baby's birth.

Important Information:

As a parent you are legally required to register your babies birth within 42 days of their date of birth. If you are married, either parent can go along to Islington Town Hall and register the baby's birth.

If you are not married, both parents must attend the registration, but only if you would like the father's name to be entered in the registration book.

A baby's birth has to be registered within the registration district it occurred, e.g. if a baby has been born in Islington, then the registration district is Islington, if however the baby has been born in neighbouring Camden, the registration district will be Camden.

If it is inconvenient to get to Islington Town Hall, you can actually go to any registry office in the country and they will forward the details to your relevant local district office.

When you go to see the registrar, you will need to provide the following information:

• the "Notification of Birth" that the hospital should have given to baby's mother when she checked out of hospital
• the baby's forename(s), surname and sex
• DOB and where the baby was born
• if the birth is multiple, e.g. twins, then the time of each baby's birth is also needed
• the baby's parents' forenames, surnames and places of birth
• names 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
• if applicable - the date of the parent's marriage.

Once these details have been given and agreed, the registrar will provide you with a birth certificate. This initial copy is free.

You will also be given a doctor's form, allowing you to register the baby at a local surgery.

Appointments

For more information about registering a birth, including how to make an appointment, see the Births and Deaths page (link on the right).