Register a birth

Registering your baby is straightforward and normally takes around twenty minutes.
Before you go the Register Office please telephone to make an appointment by calling 0151 606 2020.

When do I have to register the birth?

• You must register your baby within 42 days of the birth.

Where do I have to register the birth?

• A birth should be registered in the district where it occurred. If the birth occurred within Wirral, you need to make an appointment with Wirral Register Office on 0151 606 2020.
• If the birth occurred outside Wirral a declaration can be given here and will be forwarded to the appropriate district. However, no documents can be given; these will be sent from the district of registration
• If it is more convenient for you to register the birth at another register office in England or Wales, you can do this by making a declaration. In this case your baby's documents will be sent to you in the post from the Wirral Office, when we have received your declaration.

Opening Hours

Monday to Friday 9.00am – 4.00pm (Thursday 10.00am – 4.00pm)

Please make an appointment on 0151 606 2020.

How to get to the Register Office

The Register Office is located at:

The Register Office
Town Hall
Mortimer Street
Birkenhead
CH41 5EU.

You can view this location on a map by following the link in the Contacts Details section on the right hand side of this page. 

Who can register a birth?

• If the parents are married to each other at the time of the baby's conception or birth; either the mother or father can register.
• If the parents are not married to each other, the mother may register alone but will not be able to include father's details. If she wishes to include these details, then he must attend with her and sign the register.
• If the father's details are entered, he will automatically acquire parental responsibility over the child.

What do I need to bring?

You do not need to bring the baby with you. The local Health Authority informs the register office of all births which take place in Wirral.

What information does the Registrar need to know?

• Date and place of birth. In the case of multiple births, the time of birth for each child.
• Forename and surname of your child
• Mother’s full name at the time of child’s birth
• Mother’s maiden name if she is or has been married
• Mother’s place of birth
• Home address at the time of child’s birth
• Mother’s occupation (you can enter details of employment before the birth if you wish)
• Father’s full name at the time of child’s birth (if his details are to be registered)
• Father’s place of birth
• Father’s occupation at the time of child’s birth

What surname will the baby have?

Your child can take the surname of either parent, or both. Even if you are not married and the father doesn’t attend the registration, you can still give your child the father’s surname.

• Once your child’s name and surname have been registered, it can only be changed in the following circumstances:
  You apply for re-registration of the birth to have the father’s details included, if they were not included in the first entry.
• You get married after registering the birth. In this case, you should re-register the birth, even if you gave your child their father’s surname at the original registration.

Fees

At the registration appointment you will be issued with a short birth certificate free of charge which contains the child's name, date and place of birth. This may not always be accepted at passport offices and other organisations. A full birth certificate containing the child's name, date and place of birth and parents names, can be obtained at the time of registration for a fee per certificate.

Useful information for parents

Direct.gov holds lots of useful tips and facts for those about to have a baby, new parents and parental responsibility including sections on health in pregnancy and after the birth.

You can also read about maternity leave and pay and claim Maternity Allowance online or apply for Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit online.