How to register a birth

Appointments

All birth registrations are by appointment only. To make an appointment to register a birth at the Register Office please phone 0161 234 5005.

We are currently trialling on-line appointment booking for birth registration (this is only available for appointments at the Register Office in Heron House, Manchester) If you would like to find out more about booking a birth registration appointment on-line, please click on the on-line appointments link at the bottom of this page.

If you are a Manchester resident, you may be able to register the birth at a Sure Start centre near you, and find out about the facilities and services they provide. To make an appointment to register a birth at one of the Sure Start centres we visit, please phone the Sure Start centre directly. 

We will meet our appointment times as closely as possible. If you are late for your appointment we aim to see you within an hour. If you are early we will see you as soon as possible.

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 you need to bring with you.

You do not need to bring any documents with you. A record of the birth is sent to us by the hospital. You are welcome to bring your baby with you, but it is not a requirement.

What documents we will give to you.

• We will give you a short birth certificate which shows the child's full name and date of birth.
• You may buy additional short and standard certificates from the registrar at the time of registration at a cost of £3.50 per certificate. (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.

Any certificates, for recent events, purchased after registration will cost £7.00 per copy. Please note that once the register is completed an additional fee may be payable. Please see 'Making an application for a copy certificate'

If we have not covered your circumstances, please telephone the office for information 0161 234 5005 

We have staff who speak languages other than English but cannot guarantee their availability.  If required, please bring an interpreter with you.

Registration Service Availability

This page is available as a leaflet in other languages, in Braille, in large print, and on tape.

On-line appointment booking