COVID-19 information : Monday 8 June 2020
Firstly congratulations on the birth of your baby.
Birth registrations were halted during the COVID-19 crisis, but these can now take place again. However, as these are by law face-to-face appointments each registration district must first make sure their offices are safe and protective equipment is fitted before opening to the public. This means that there may be delays with offices being able to open again.
Births will need to registered in the district where the baby was born. If you gave birth in a hospital, you should contact the relevant registration district directly; for Wexham Park this would be Slough or for Royal Berks this would be Reading.
- Previous to COVID-19 you could give the birth information via a ‘declaration’ at your local register office, but this will not be possible in the near future.
- During the COVID-19 crisis, you can claim for child benefit and universal credit without having registered the birth. Further information on this will be on www.gov.uk.
- You do not have to worry about registering after the 42-day deadline during the COVID-19 crisis. Register Offices will be working through a back-log built up since the end of March.
- After the arrival of a new baby, everything can seem to be happening in a blur. However it is important to remember to register your new arrival.
It is a legal requirement to register the birth within 42 days. This is done by a personal visit to a register office in the district where the birth occurred. You will need to call 01628 796422 to make an appointment for this.
(Added Monday 8 June 2020)
Registering your baby
After the arrival of a new baby, everything can seem to be happening in a blur. However it is important to remember to register your new arrival.
It is a legal requirement to register the birth within 42 days. This is done by a personal visit to a register office in the district where the birth occurred. You will need to call 01628 796422 to make an appointment for this.
After giving the registrar all the necessary information, you will be asked to check the record carefully and sign it.
You will need to purchase a birth certificate, which will cost £11 per copy at the time of registration.
You can also buy further birth certificates at a later date, which will cost £11 each.
If you prefer you can go to any other Register Office in England or Wales where the registration will be made by a declaration, which will be sent to the local office where the birth occurred, any birth certificates would then be sent to you by post.