Registering a birth
All births must be registered within 42 days in accordance with the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1953.
If the baby was born in Sheffield, please telephone the Register Office on 0114 203 9427 between 8.30 am and 4.00 pm Monday to Friday, or call into the office (open 9.00 am to 4.00 pm Monday to Friday), to make an appointment. Location of Sheffield Register Office
If the baby was not born in Sheffield, either contact the Register Office for the district where the birth took place or telephone, or call into, this office and ask about registering by declaration.
To contact other Register Offices follow these links:
- If the baby was born in England or Wales General Register Office for England and Wales
- If the baby was born in Scotland General Register Office for Scotland
- If the baby was born in Northern Ireland General Register Office for Northern Ireland
- If the baby was born overseas General Register Office for England and Wales
Why do I need to register the birth of my baby?
You need to register your baby in order to obtain a birth certificate. You can then use this to claim child benefit and any other family-related benefits and to obtain a National Health Service number which your doctor will need.
Who can register a birth?
If the parents were married to each other at the time of the birth, either the mother or the father may register the birth. If the parents are not married to each other, the mother may attend alone but will not be able to record the father's details unless he is also present. Please contact the appropriate Register Office if you need further information.
What will I be asked?
You will need to provide the following information:
- Baby's date and place of birth
- Baby's forename(s) and surname and how you wish to spell those names
- Mother's full name, date and place of birth, occupation and maiden name/date of marriage (if applicable)
- Where father's details are being recorded, the same information as for mother is required (see above)
What will the registration cost and what documents will I receive?
Registration is free of charge. We will give you a short birth certificate which shows the child's full name and date of birth and a form to enable you to register the child with a doctor. Certified copies are £3.50 each at the time of registration (for either a standard or a short birth certificate), but may be obtained at a later date for the standard fee of £7.00 each for a standard birth certificate or £5.50 each for a short birth certificate. How to obtain copy certificates
A standard certificate shows all the details recorded in the register. Please note that if you intend to apply for a passport for your child, the Passport Office will ask to see a standard birth certificate.
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