Registering births

When and where to register the birth of your child or children

You need to register a birth within 42 days of your child or children being born.

The birth has to be registered in the office of the district where the birth happened.

You need to make an appointment with one of our registrars at Riverside Chambers using our online booking system.

Book appointment to register birth

If it is difficult to visit an office in Derby, you may go to any Register Office in England and Wales to provide information for the birth registration by declaration. The information you provide will be posted on to us and once we have registered the birth.

Who can register the birth

Either the mother or father of the baby can register alone if they are married.

If the parents are not married to each other, both parents must usually attend to register at the same time.

If the mother prefers that no details of the father are given, she can attend alone.

Information the registrar will ask you for

We will ask you for the full name and surname of the child.

You will need to give us full names of the parent or parents, dates and places of birth, date of marriage, if married and occupations.

You will need the required documents.

This registration process normally takes 20 minutes.

What to bring to your appointment

You are not required to bring your child to the appointment but please bring your baby's 'Red Book' or any birth paperwork provided by the hospital or midwife.

Required documents

From 9 November 2026 you must bring to your appointment the original documents which prove your identity.

We will not be able to complete the registration without them.

If you're married or in a civil partnership, only one parent needs to attend. It is helpful to bring proof of identity for both parents.

Photocopies are not accepted.

You must bring one document from this list:

• passport (current or expired up to 18 months after date of expiry)
• UK biometric immigration document
• UK valid travel document
• UK valid refugee travel document
• UK valid stateless person travel document
• UK photocard driving licence (full or provisional)
• UK birth certificate
• UK adoption certificate
• European Union driving licence
• European Union Member State identity card
• Proof of Age Standard Scheme (PASS) card

If you do not have one from the above list, then you must bring two of the following:

• utility bill (not mobile phone)
• Council Tax statement
• bank or building society statement
• mortgage statement
• credit card statement
• state benefit, pension or Tax Credit entitlement from Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
• P45 or P60
• marriage or civil partnership certificate
• letter from a government agency
• letter from the National Health Service (NHS)
• His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) notification
• police or armed forces identification
• signed firearms certificate
• proof of Royal Mail redirection
• document issued by your local authority
• school or college letter (if you are 16 to 19 years old)

If you do not speak or understand English, please bring someone who can translate for you. 

Payment for certificates

There is a fee for all certificates issued.

You will need to pay by debit or credit card as we only accept cash in certain circumstances.

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