Register a birth
Book an appointment with us to register a birth. You will need to bring certain documents and information with you, and pay a fee for the birth certificate.
Page contents
When and where
You must register a birth within 42 days of the baby being born.
You should register the birth at the local register office for the area where the baby was born.
Check which council covers the area where the baby was born (GOV.UK).
Baby born in South Gloucestershire
If the baby was born in South Gloucestershire, you can register the birth at one of our register offices in:
You will need to book an appointment.
Baby born outside South Gloucestershire
If the baby was born in England or Wales, but outside South Gloucestershire – for example at Southmead Hospital, Bristol – and you cannot get to the nearest register office to register the birth, you can book an appointment at one of our South Gloucestershire register offices.
We will take all the details and pass them onto the right office. This is called making a declaration. We cannot issue the birth certificate. You will need to apply to the register office where your baby was born after the appointment, usually online or over the phone.
Who can register
Information on who can register a birth (GOV.UK)
Book an appointment
To book an appointment, phone 01454 863140 or email registrationservice@southglos.gov.uk.
What to bring to the appointment
It helps us if you bring something to the appointment that shows your full name, such as your:
- passport, birth certificate or photo driving licence
- council tax bill, latest utility bill or recent bank statement
If you are unable to bring these documents, you can still complete the registration without them.
You do not need to bring the baby to your appointment.
What information we need to know
When registering the birth, we will ask you for:
The baby’s
- first names and surname
- date and place of birth
- sex (male or female)
The parent or parents
- full names and surname including any previous surnames
- date and place of birth
- address
- current (or last) job
- date of marriage (if applicable)
It is important that the information provided and the entry in the register is correct. It is your responsibility to ensure that there are no mistakes, including spelling errors.
Errors discovered after you have signed the register page may take considerable time to process and we might not be able to correct it.
If we can correct it, there will be a fee to pay. Depending on what needs to be changed it will cost £83 or £99.
Birth certificates
It is very important that you check all the details on the register page, which is presented to you by the registrar. You will be asked to sign to confirm that the information is correct and true.
You can buy copies of the birth certificate straightaway, if your baby was:
- born in the South Gloucestershire area and
- you are registering the birth in South Gloucestershire
Certificates cost £12.50 each.
We accept debit and credit cards (Visa and Mastercard).
Once we have the details, you will be able to buy copies of the birth certificate at any time. You can also order a replacement birth certificate.
If you are giving details of the birth at a register office in a different area to where the birth took place (making a declaration), you will be able to buy certificates a few days afterwards.