Register a birth

Congratulations on the birth of your new baby.

Every baby born in England or Wales must be registered within 42 days.

If the baby was born in the Bradford District it should be registered here, but if that is inconvenient you may register the birth in another district in England and Wales. This is known as registering by declaration. That registrar will send the details on to us.

You can order and pay for birth certificates when you make the declaration and these will be posted to you.

You do not need to bring the baby into the register office because the local health authority tells us when a baby is born.

If the baby was born in the Bradford and Keighley Registration District you can register the birth at:

• the Bradford and Keighley Register Office in Bradford City Hall 
• Keighley Town Hall.

Telephone 01274 432151 to make an appointment.

Who can register a birth?

If the parents were married to each other:

• the mother or father.

If the parents were not married to each other:

• the mother 
• the mother and father together.

If the parents were in a civil partnership please contact the registrar for advice.

Other people who may register births

If neither the mother nor the father is able to register the birth, you need to contact the Register Office for advice.

Information the registrar will ask you about the birth

About the baby:

• date and place of birth; for twins or triplets the time of each child's birth will be needed 
• baby’s sex 
• the first name(s) and surname intended for the child.

About the mother and father (if his details are to be entered in the register):

• first name(s) and surname – also any other names which are or have been used 
• mother’s maiden surname if different 
• her date and place of birth 
• occupation at the time of the child's birth, or last occupation if unemployed 
• usual address at the date of birth 
• date of marriage if applicable 
• number of previous children.

You will also be asked to bring identification such as passport, driving licence and marriage certificate, if you are married.

It is most important that the information recorded in the birth register is correct. You should check the information very carefully before signing the entry. A mistake can easily be put right before you sign, but after signing it will be much more difficult.

If you have difficulty in communicating in English you must bring someone else to act as interpreter.

What certificates will be issued?

All birth certificates costs £4 if bought at the time of registering. A standard certificate is a complete copy of the register entry and you will need it to obtain a passport for the child. A short certificate shows the name, sex, date and district of birth and has limited use. You can buy a certificate at any time afterwards but they will cost more.