Births in England or Wales must be registered in the district in which they take place although this may be arranged through any register office within these countries.
The main act and regulations governing the registration of births and death are:
- The Births and Deaths Registration Act 1953 (as amended)
- The Registration of Births and Deaths Regulations 1987 (as amended), and
- The Registration of Births and Deaths (Welsh Language) Regulations 1987 (as amended)
When to register
Every birth in England or Wales must be registered in the district in which it takes place within 42 days of the date of birth.
Where to register
A birth must be registered in the district where it occurred. If the birth was in the Salford area you should register at Salford register office.
If attending that register office is not convenient, then you can give the details at any register office in England or Wales. They will send the information to the correct register office for you.
The register office of the district where the birth took place will post you any birth certificates you require and a form to register your baby with a doctor.
From 1 November 2011, if you are a Salford resident but your baby was born at a Manchester or Bolton hospital you can now register at Salford register office where you can sign the register and receive the first birth certificate in person.
An appointment only system operates at Salford's register office. Please telephone 0161 909 6501 to make an appointment to see the registrar.
How to register
If parents are married when the baby is born, either parent may register the birth.
However, if the baby's parents are not married, and they want the father's details to be included in the register, both parents should attend the office together to register the birth.
If the parents are not married it is not necessary to have the father's details in the register. If his details are not entered at the time of registration, there are special procedures for them to be added later if required. There may be other options in some cases. Contact a registrar for more information.
Meeting the registrar
You will be seen in private and asked questions about the baby and his or her parents.
The registrar will write the details in the birth register and enter them on to a computer.
You will be asked to check the information entered in the register carefully and to sign that it is correct.
Information needed to register
You will be asked for the following:
- The date and place of birth. If the birth is one of twins, etc, then the times of births will be required
- The baby's first name, last name and sex
- The baby's parents' names, dates and place of birth
- The baby's parents' occupations
- The baby's parents' address(es)
- The baby's mother's maiden name
- The date of the baby's parents' marriage and number of previous children
Documents you will need to bring
- For each parent who attends you will need to bring proof of your identity. This must be a passport or a full birth certificate.
- If you are married or have entered into a civil partnership you will need to bring your marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate.
- For each parent who attends you will need to bring proof of address which may be a driving licence, recent utility bill or your council tax bill.
You will receive a short certified copy of the entry in the register and a form to enable you to register the baby with a doctor.
The registrar will be happy to provide you with further copies. You may find extra copies useful, and you might like to have a copy of the full entry. These can be provided at the time of registration or at a later date.
Registration of a birth and the short certified copy of the entry are free of charge.
Fees for current certificates
If you want additional copies of the entry, the fee for a certificate is £4 at the time of registration.
After the date of registration any further certificates required will be £7 plus £1 administration fee if you apply by post or by telephone. Certificates issued for this fee will be processed within five working days.
If you require the certificate straight away there will be a supplementary £11 fee to pay for a priority service.
Who to contact
- The Register Office
- Town Hall
Map to this location
- 0161 909 6501
This page was last updated on 3 September 2014