Register a birth
Please note
All babies must be registered within 42 days (six weeks) from the date of birth.
Those parents that have received a letter from us, for babies born more than four weeks ago, are being reminded to book an appointment online. If you haven’t registered your baby after six weeks, unfortunately we have to issue you with a formal requisition to do so and refer the non-registration to General Register Office.
If you live in the Channel Islands and have had to come to Southampton to have your baby, you will need to register the birth BEFORE you leave the mainland.
Who to register a birth with
Registering in Southampton
If the birth you wish to register occurred at one of the following locations an appointment should be booked at Southampton Register Office:
- Princess Anne Hospital
- Another hospital within the city
- A home birth at an address within the Southampton City Council boundary. This is essentially postcode areas SO14-SO19
However, there are some exceptions, so please check with the local authority of the area where you should register the birth.
Book a birth appointment at Southampton Register Office.
Registering in Hampshire
If your baby was born at the Princess Anne Hospital, but you don't live in the city, you can register the birth at offices in the Hampshire registration district.
Hampshire offices will also be able to issue your certificates at the time of registration.
Registering elsewhere
If you live further afield, you can make a declaration of the facts at any Register Office in England or Wales. The birth certificates will be sent from the Southampton Register Office in due course.
Re-registration
You are not permitted to book an appointment for re-registration on the online booking system. If you have, please cancel this appointment.
Re-registration of baby to add the natural father
As soon as the natural father is on the registration, he gains parental responsibility for the baby/child. Please ensure you have completed the re-registration form to add the natural father (GRO185) and then email us registrars@southampton.gov.uk to enquire about appointments. You will need to bring this completed form signed by both of you and the original birth certificates and both of you attend the appointment we offer.
Re-registration of baby after natural parents have married or formed a civil partnership with each other
We are booking these appointments on specified days only. You will both have needed to complete the re-registration form LA1 (after marriage) and you will need to email registrars@southampton.gov.uk to enquire about appointments. You will need to bring this completed form signed by both of you but only one of you needs to attend the appointment with your marriage certificate** and original birth certificates. Once we book your appointment, if you fail to show, your details will be removed, and you will have to contact us again in due course.
If you were married or formed your legal civil partnership abroad, you will need to provide all paperwork to us so we can scan it off to the General Register Office. We need authorisation from them before we can complete the registration. If the certificate is not in English, you will need to provide an English translation with it.
Other services of interest
- Southampton Registration services also perform a Naming ceremony
- Southampton has many Family Hubs across the City offering support for all families with children under five
- Sign your family up to Southampton libraries to hear of news, activities and events
Tree for life
Why not plant a tree to commemorate your child's birth? This is a fantastic opportunity to mark the birth of your child and contribute to a greener city. Find out more about the next tree planting event in Southampton.
