There are two main situations in which the birth can be re-registered:
To show that the natural parents are now married
If the natural parents have married each other since the birth was registered, the birth should be re-registered to accurately record the current legal status of the child.
The form to apply to re-register the child can be downloaded below, and will need to be signed by both parents. The form should to be sent to the register office along with a copy of the marriage certificate, and birth certificate for the child.
Once the details have been checked, the register office will contact you to make an appointment to come and re-register. Either parent can then attend the register office for their appointment. The birth can then be re-registered and the child's surname can be changed as part of this process. Copies of the re-registered birth certificate can then be purchased from the registrar at the appointment for £11 per copy.
Re-registration form if the biological parents have married since the birth
Adding the father's details to the birth record
If the child's natural parents were not married at the time of the birth and the father did not attend with the mother to register the birth of the baby, the birth record can be amended at any time to include the father's details and to change the surname of the child.
The form to apply to re-register the child can be downloaded below, and will need to be signed by both parents. The form should be sent to the register office along with the birth certificate for the child. Once the details have been checked, the register office will contact you to make an appointment to come and re-register.
The easiest way for a birth to be re-registered is for both parents to attend at a register office together. It is possible however for either parent to make a statutory declaration before a solicitor or other person able to legally witness an oath to acknowledge parentage of the child. It is also possible for either parent to obtain a court order naming the father. In any of these situations, the birth will be registered again and copies of the re-registered certificate can be purchased from the registrar.
Re-registration form to add the details of the natural father