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Register a birth

You will have lots to think about after your baby is born. But make sure you put aside some time to visit us and tell us all about your new arrival.

You need to register the birth with us before your baby is 6 weeks old. We will then produce a birth certificate. This is a legal requirement for all births in England and Wales.

There are plenty of places in Kent for you to register the birth of your child. Find the details of these locations and how to book an appointment on this page.

Call us on 03000 41 51 51 to book an appointment to register a birth.

Book an appointment to register a birth

Birth in Kent or Bexley

If the birth took place in Kent or Bexley, use the online form below to book an appointment to visit one of our registration locations.

Book an appointment

You can also book an appointment by phone:

Find out where to go to register a birth in the section below.

Births outside Kent or Bexley

If you live in Kent or Bexley but the birth happened elsewhere, book an appointment with us using the details above. The birth details will be taken by a registrar in Kent or Bexley and sent to the registration district where the birth took place. This is called registration by declaration.

Living outside Kent or Bexley

If the birth took place in Kent or Bexley but you cannot attend an appointment there, make an appointment with your nearest registration service in England and Wales. They will send the details to us to register the birth. This is called registration by declaration.

Visit the GOV.UK website page to find a register office using your postcode.

Births in other countries

If your baby was born abroad, you must register the child's details as advised by the government guidelines.

Visit the GOV.UK website to register a birth abroad.

Where to go to register a birth

You can register births in Kent at any of the following libraries or Gateways:

Register births in Bexley at the Bexley register office:

Danson House
Bexleyheath
DA6 8HL
Tel: 03000 411103
Email: registerofficebexley@kent.gov.uk

What happens when you register a birth

What you need to bring

Please bring all of the following to your appointment:

  • Proof of identification for yourself, such as a passport or driving licence.
  • Cash or a credit or debit card to pay for birth certificates.
  • The red book or hospital discharge papers (if available).

What you'll be asked

The registrar will ask for information about you and the baby. This includes:

  • place and date of the birth
  • name, surname and sex of the baby
  • parents’ names, surnames and address
  • places and dates of parents’ birth
  • date of parents’ marriage or civil partnership if relevant
  • parents’ jobs
  • mother’s maiden surname if relevant.

You will be asked to check the entry carefully before signing, to confirm the details are correct. Correcting any mistakes later can cause a delay and will be subject to a charge.

Naming your baby

You will officially name your baby at registration. The surname that you give at registration can only be changed by re-registration. See the section below on how to re-register your child.

You can then purchase birth certificates for your baby. Read our page on birth certificates for more information.

You will receive a Bookstart Baby book pack, to help you begin to read to your baby. Find out more on the Bookstart website page: Bookstart Baby.

Re-register your child

You can re-register your child with us if either:

  • the natural parents are unmarried and wish to add the natural father's details to the birth record
  • the natural parents have married each other since the birth.

To re-register a birth, use the online form below to book an appointment to visit one of our register offices.

Book an appointment online to re-register a birth