Why Register a Birth?

By law all births occurring in Northern Ireland must be registered. You will require proof of the birth for various purposes including claiming child benefit and registering your baby with a doctor.

When must a Birth be registered?

A birth must be registered within 42 days of the date of birth.

What do you need in order to register a Birth?

A 'Notice to Mothers' form filled in by the person registering the birth (usually the mother).

Where can a Birth be registered?
With the District Registrar:-

In the Registrar's Office either in the district where the birth took place or in the district in which the mother normally lives. In most areas the Registrar visits the local Maternity Hospital on certain days.


Who can register a Birth?

The principal informant would be the mother or father of the baby - if they are a married couple. However, in the case of a child born outside marriage, the name of the father may only be recorded in the entry of birth if both parents attend and sign the registration together or a declaration of paternity is produced.

An unmarried father who registers the birth of his child jointly with the child's natural mother, and has his name recorded on the birth registration from, will for children born on or after 15th April 2002, acquire parental responsibilities.

Unmarried fathers who do not jointly register their child's birth will not have parental responsibilities, though the law states they will have to help pay for the child's up bringing.

The Grandmother, Grandfather, Uncle or Aunt of the baby who has knowledge of the birth, or any person present at the birth, or any person having charge of the child, or occupier of the premises where the baby was born is also entitled to register the birth.

A list of District Registrar Offices can be found here.


What details are required to register a Birth?

Full name of the baby.
Sex and date of birth of the baby.
District and place of birth of the baby.
Full names and dates of birth of the parents, and full addresses and occupations of the parents.

What will the Registrar give you?

Once the registration is completed, the Registrar will issue the following forms:-

One free short birth certificate will be issued automatically at the time of registration, and an Infant Registration Card HS123 to register with the family doctor and obtain a medical card.

PLEASE NOTE THAT A BIRTH REGISTRATION CANNOT EASILY BE CHANGED ONCE COMPLETED

Certified copies of Birth Certificate?

Further certified copies - either Short of Full - may be purchased from the Registrar at the time of registration for £ 12.00 per copy.

Cost of Birth Certificate after Registration

Full certified copy £ 12.00, or where two or more copies of the same entry are applied for at the same time the first copy will be charged at £ 12.00 and any additional copies at £ 6.00 each. Where an applicant can supply full particulars including the register entry number and date of registration the cost will be £ 6.00 per copy. There is an additional priority fee of £ 17.00 for birth certificates produced within one hour of application for personal applications or same day for postal, telephone or Internet applications provided the application is received by 14:30 hours.

Statutory Certificates for Education & Social Security Purposes can be produced at a reduced fee of £6. Proof from the Department of Education or Department of Health and Social Services must be included with your application. These certificates may only be used for the purposes provided.

To perform a search only the fee is £ 6.00 for each five year period or part of it.


Where to obtain certified copies of Birth Certificates?

Certified copies of all births registered in Northern Ireland may be obtained from:-

  General Register Office
  Oxford House
  49/55 Chichester Street
  Belfast
  BT1 4HL
  Telephone:- 028 90 252000

Certified copies of births registered from 1997 can be obtained from the District Registrars Offices.