Last updated:
19th September 2023
Register a birth
Everything you need to know about registering the birth of a baby
Make sure you know what's needed to register a birth
Before you book an appointment to register a birth (either online or by phone) make sure you've read the information on this page so you know what's needed.
Register a birth within 42 days
All births must be registered within 42 days of the child being born. The registration takes place at the local Register Office for the area where the baby was born.
Babies born at Royal Berkshire Hospital
As from 1 December 2022, all babies who were born at Royal Berkshire Hospital now have to be registered at Reading Register Office. To book an appointment, visit the Reading Borough Council website.
Babies born in Wokingham Borough
If your baby is born anywhere in Wokingham Borough, for example at home, she/he will be registered at the Wokingham Register Office.
To register a birth in Wokingham Borough:
- Call: 0118 974 6000
Who needs to attend to register a birth
- For couples married at the time of child’s birth, only one parent should attend
- For unmarried couples the mother must attend. If the mother wants the father's details to be recorded both parents must attend
- The child does not need to be there
- No one else should attend the appointment
What information is needed to register a birth
- The child's date of birth, full names, and surname
- The mother's forename(s), surname, maiden name (if applicable), month and year of marriage (if applicable), current address (and address at time of birth if different), date of birth, place of birth (town if within UK, or country if abroad and occupation
- The father's forename(s), surname, current address if not married to the mother, date of birth, place of birth (town if within UK, or country if abroad and occupation
- Although not essential, it will help with the accuracy of the information if you could bring either your passport, ID card, birth certificates, deed polls or any marriage or civil partnership certificates
During your appointment, you will be asked to check the paper copy of the registration before signing. It is important that you check all the information on the document before signing, paying careful attention to the spelling of names and places as well as dates.
It is your responsibility to make sure all information is correct before signing. Once you have signed the register entry it becomes a legal document. If any error is noticed after signing, a correction would then be required. From 1 November 2017 national fees apply for corrections (£75 to £90). A fee of £40 is also payable for adding to a child’s forename(s) following registration.
Babies born outside Wokingham Borough
If your baby was born outside of Wokingham Borough, your baby will be registered at the Register Office local to that area.
For Frimley Park you should book an appointment with Surrey Registration service.
For Royal Berkshire Hospital you should book an appointment with Reading Register Office.
Alternatively, you can contact any other Register Office in England and Wales, including Wokingham, to book a birth declaration appointment to complete and sign a declaration.
This information will then be sent to the Register Office where the birth took place and the registration will be recorded there. You do not receive any certificates on the day of declaration but the birth certificates can be posted by that office to your home address. There will be a delay of several days before you receive the certificates.
- Surrey Registration Services - call 0300 200 1002
- Reading Register Office - call 0118 937 3533 or go to the Reading Borough Council web page and click on the blue button 'Register a birth'
Payment
Birth certificates cost £11 each:
- For births at home within the Wokingham borough, we can accept payment by card. We are unable to accept cash, personal cheques or apple pay. The Birth is registered in Wokingham, and we produce certificates during the appointment.
