Changes may be made to the birth record under the following circumstances:
If you wish to add the natural father’s name to the birth record
If the natural parent’s have subsequently married
If a court has issued a declaration of parentage
If the child has been given another first or middle name within a year of registration
Correction if an error has been made
Adding the father’s details to the birth record
If the natural father’s details were not included in the original birth registration, it is possible to re-register your child’s birth to have these details included. Doing this will ensure that the father then acquires equal parental rights and responsibilities for the child.
There is no charge for re-registrations, but if you would like a new birth certificate reflecting the changes you can purchase or order one at the time of the re-registration or any time after. Usual charges for certificates will apply.
Both parents will need to complete and sign form GRO 185
Both parents will need make an appointment to attend the register office together
If you cannot attend the register office together, it may be necessary for one of you to complete a ‘Statutory declaration of acknowledgment of parentage’ form. Please refer to the form for full instructions. Once completed, the application form and statutory declaration form should be sent or brought into our office and we will then send your request to the Registrar General’s office. We will be contact you when the authority to proceed has been given and we can then make an appointment for you to attend this office to sign the new registration.
It may be possible to change the surname of the child when you re-register. The registrar will advise you.
If the child is 16 years old or over and the surname is to be changed, written consent must be provided by the child.
Please note: once a new surname has been given in re-registration it cannot be altered back.
Birth Re-registration following the marriage of the natural parents
Re-registration of the child’s birth entry should be made if the natural parents marry each other after the child was born. This will record the child as a child of the marriage and establish full legal rights for the father.
There is no charge for re-registrations, but if you would like a new birth certificate reflecting the changes you can purchase or order one at the time of the re-registration or any time after. Usual charges for certificates will apply.
Both the natural parents need to complete and sign the Form LA1 for each child prior to making an appointment
Only one of you will need to attend this appointment, but you will need to ensure that you bring the completed signed form and your marriage certificate with you
If you were married abroad, the completed form, marriage certificate and translation if appropriate will need to sent or brought into our office and we will then send your request to the Registrar General’s office. They will contact you to advise you to make an appointment with us.
It may be possible to change the surname of the child when you re-register. The registrar will advise you.
If the child is 16 years old or over and the surname is to be changed, written consent must be provided by the child.
Please note: once a new surname has been given in re-registration it cannot be altered back.
Re-registration following a court issued ‘Declaration of Parentage’
When a Declaration of Parentage, is issued through the court, the child will automatically be re-registered. Once this has taken place you will be able to purchase certificates in the usual way.
Changing a forename
There are only two ways you can change your child’s forename in the birth entry after registration. This change can only be made within a year of the registration, and only once. There is no charge for this service, but you may like to purchase new certificates reflecting the changes.
Changing or adding forenames after baptism
If your child was baptised within a year of registration and the child was given different or additional forenames, the birth certificate can be altered to reflect these changes. You will need to complete the downloadable form below and take it to the Church where the baptism took place for it to be signed. The completed form should then be returned to the office where the child was registered, together with the fee for any new certificates.
Changing or adding forenames when a child has not been baptised
If within a year of registration, you wish to change or add to your child’s forenames and your child has not been baptised, you will need to complete and sign the downloadable form below and return it to the office where the child was registered, together with the fee for any new certificates.
Correcting a record if an error has been made
If a mistake has been made on the original record, it may be possible to get it changed. There is no charge for correcting a record, however if you would like a new certificate, you will need to purchase this once the correction has been made.
You should contact this office in the first instance, so that we can advise you what documents you will need to provide to support your request and also if the particular error can be authorised by ourselves or by the Registrar General, which may take a little longer. Further information can be found at Directgov under 'Correcting a Record'
Southampton City Council
