Birth registration
Who can register a birth
Parents married to each other
If the parents of the child were married to each other at the time of the birth (or conception), either the mother or the father may register.
Parents not married to each other
If the parents were not married to each other at the time of the child's birth (or conception), the father's particulars may be entered in the register only in the following circumstances:
- the mother and father go to the register office and sign the birth register together, or
- where the father is unable to go to the register office with the mother -
the father may make a statutory declaration acknowledging his paternity which the mother must produce to the registrar (this form may be obtained from any registrar in England or Wales), or - where the mother is unable to go to the register office with the father -
the mother may make a statutory declaration acknowledging the father's paternity which the father must produce to the registrar (this form may be obtained from any registrar in England or Wales), or - where the mother and father have made a parental responsibility agreement or either has obtained an appropriate court order-
the agreement or order should be produced to the registrar by either parent.
If the father's particulars are not recorded in the birth register, it may be possible for the birth to be re-registered to include his details at a later date.
You will be asked questions relating to the birth and name of the baby, also full names, dates and places of birth and occupations of each parent. It is very important that the information in the register is correct and you should check carefully before signing.
Other people who may register births
Although the majority of births are registered by the parents, sometimes neither the mother or the father are able to do this. In these circumstances please contact Calderdale Register Office for further advice.
Parental responsibility
The mother of a child, and the father if he is married to the mother, automatically have parental responsibility. Where the parents are not married to each other, the father will acquire parental responsibility if he acts with the mother to have his name recorded in the child's birth registration on or after 1 December 2003. An unmarried father can also obtain parental responsibility by later marrying the child's mother; by making a parental responsibility agreement with her or by getting a court order. You may wish to think about this if you have other children.
If you need further information or advice, you should contact:
- Name
- Parentline Plus
- Telephone
- 0808 800 2222
- Textphone
- 0800 783 6783
or obtain legal advice.
