Re-register a child's birth

A child’s birth can be re-registered to include up-to-date information if the:

• natural father’s details were not entered at the time of the original birth registration
• child’s parents have married after the original birth registration

The General Register Office for England and Wales no longer allow a child’s surname to be changed through re-registration. For more information, contact the General Register Office.

We can only re-register children born in Birmingham or process re-registrations for children who live in Birmingham but were born elsewhere in England or Wales.

Fees

The re-registration is free of charge.

If you need a new birth certificate, the fee for each certificate is £12.50.

How to apply

To apply for a re-registration, both parents should complete the relevant form(s) and either send them to the address on the form(s) or to Birmingham Register Office.

Use the following form(s) on GOV.UK if the:

• natural father’s details were not included on the original birth certificate
• natural father is unable to visit Birmingham Register Office
• natural parents have married or entered into a civil partnership since the child’s birth

Once your completed form(s) have been processed, we will contact you to make an appointment to re-register your child’s birth at Birmingham Register Office.

We are currently experiencing a high demand for this service. We will process your application as quickly as possible.

Page last updated: 4 August 2026