You can change some information on a birth certificate by re-registering the birth.

You can:

  • add the natural father’s details 
  • show the mother and father of the baby as married or in a civil partnership

You can re-register a child at any age, and this can be done at any register office in England and Wales.

Book your appointment

If you need more information please complete the enquiry form.

You can buy a copy of the new registration certificate after it’s been signed.

Adding the natural father

You can add the natural father’s details later if:

  • the natural parents weren’t married when the baby was born, and
  • the father didn’t attend the baby’s registration

Both parents will need to complete the re-register a birth application form and attend the re-registration appointment.

Showing the parents as married or in a civil partnership

If the natural parents have married each other since the birth was registered, the birth should be re-registered to accurately record the current legal status of the child.

Both parents will need to complete the re-register a birth application form. You will need to bring a copy of your marriage certificate to the appointment.

If you got married outside the UK

You'll need to get the authority to re-register the birth from the General Register Office. You'll have to submit your marriage certificate and the application to re-register a birth with them.