Register a birth
You must register the birth of your baby:
- within 42 days of birth
- in the registration district where your baby was born
How to register a birth
You'll need to book an appointment with a registrar at one of our offices. You can chose from:
- Walsall Register Office, Civic Centre, Hatherton Road, Walsall WS1 1TN
- West Locality Family Hub, Ilmington House, Crescent Road, Wednesbury WS10 8AE
Who can register a birth
Parents who are married or in a civil partnership
Either parent can register the birth of their baby on their own.
Both parents’ details will be included on the birth certificate if you were married to each other when your baby was born or conceived.
Unmarried parents
Both parents' details can be included on the birth certificate if one of the following happens:
- both parents sign the birth register together
- one parent goes to register the birth with a document from the court (for example, a court order) giving the father parental responsibility
- one parent completes a statutory declaration of parentage form and the other takes the signed form to register the birth
If you're the mother of the baby, you can register the birth on your own if you're not married to the baby's father.
Your appointment
If English is not your first language, you can bring a relative or friend to help you. Contact us if you need help or advice.
Depending on who registers the birth, you might not need to give all the information below.
What you'll need to tell us at your appointment
You'll need the following information:
- place and date of the birth
- full name of the baby
- parents’ full names and addresses
- places of parents’ birth
- parents’ jobs
- mother’s maiden surname
Documents you should bring
You should bring the discharge papers from the hospital or midwife.
It would help if you could also bring at least one form of identification when you attend your appointment. You can use:
- passport
- birth certificate
- marriage certificate
- proof of address (for example, a utility bill)
Signing or changing the register
Your baby's birth will be recorded in the register. It is important that you check the details carefully before you sign.
After signing, it could cost up to £99.00 to make a correction.
Contact Walsall Register Office if you need to change any information recorded in the register.
After the birth is registered
Once you have registered the birth, you may be able to claim:
