Register a birth
To register a birth you will need to request an appointment by submitting an online form.
Quick links
How much does it cost for registering a birth?
All certificates will cost £11 per copy. You will only be able to order two certificates at the time of registration. Extra copies will need to be ordered online.
Free short birth certificates are no longer issued at the time of registration.
Who can register a birth?
- The mother of the baby
- The father of the baby if he was married to the mother at the time of the birth
- The mother and the father jointly if they are not married at the time of the birth.
- Either parent attending alone, if they were not married at the time of birth, with a legal document signed by the other parent.
- The mother, if she is not married to the father, may register alone leaving out the details of the father. At a later date an application to re-register the birth may be made to include the father's details or following the marriage of the mother and father.
How do I book an appointment?
We are not taking appointments by phone. Please submit a request for an appointment using the quick link above. We will then contact you to attend your appointment at Town Hall Square.
You can only register the birth of a baby who was born in the city of Leicester.
Can I register at my local office?
I live in Leicester....
Yes, your local office is based at the Town Hall. Please complete the 'Request an appointment to register a birth' form at the top of this page.
I live in Leicestershire....
The Town Hall (Leicester City) is your registration district and must issue your child’s birth certificate. However, if you do not want to attend the Town Hall, you can attend a local Register Office in Leicestershire to register a birth by declaration. The registrars there will take all of the information and email it to us to complete the registration. Registrars at the Town Hall will then issue a birth certificate. All certificates cost £11 each. To make an appointment, call Leicestershire County Register Office on 0116 305 6565.
Please note, Leicestershire registrars will not be able to issue any birth certificates for you if your baby was born in Leicester City.
What about births outside of Leicester?
We are not registering births of babies who were born elsewhere. Please contact the register office in the area where the child was born.
We can only make a registration if the birth took place in Leicester City. If a birth took place in another district, we can complete a declaration which would be emailed to the relevant office. You would not receive a certificate from us.
What about re-registrations?
You will need to complete a re-registration form via GOV.UK and return the form to us via post, to the register office you want to attend for the re-registration appointment.
What to bring to your appointment
- Arrive in time for your appointment - if you are late you will not be seen. You will need to contact the Register Office by email register.office@leicester.gov.uk to rebook your appointment.
- Please be aware, there will be no indoor waiting facilities, if you arrive early for your appointment.
- Please do not bring babies or children to the Register Office.
- Make sure you bring the following documents with you for your appointment:
- passports for both parents
- driving licence
- marriage certificate
- proof of address
- baby’s red book.
- Please bring a black pen for your appointment.
- If you have any mobility issues, please make us aware at the time of booking.
Frequently asked questions
- Your baby’s name, date of birth, place of birth and sex
- The mother’s name, maiden name if appropriate, place of birth, address and occupation
- The name, place of birth and occupation of the father, if he is being registered. If he is unemployed, his last occupation will be needed.
Other information is legally required but will not be entered in the register. This confidential information will be used for statistical purposes.
It includes:
- The father’s date of birth, where his name is entered in the register
- The mother’s date of birth
- The month and year of the marriage, when the baby’s parents are married
- Whether the mother has been married more than once
- Number of mother’s previous live children and stillbirths