HomeBirths
If you or your partner have recently had a baby, you will need to register the birth so you can claim benefits or register your child with a doctor. We are also required by law to keep track of the number of babies born in Belfast to help calculate fertility rates and population estimates.
In this section, you can:
- find out when and where to register a birth
- check who can register a birth
- find out how to order a copy of a birth certificate
When and where should I register?
By law, your baby's birth must be registered within 42 days of the date of birth.This is free and can be done in any Registrar's office in Northern Ireland.
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Registering a birth in Belfast is very simple and no appointment is needed.
Our Registrar's office is located in Belfast City Hall and is open from 9.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Thursday and 9.30am to 4pm on Fridays. If you have a query, call us on 028 9027 0274 or email registrar@belfastcity.gov.uk For more information, call us on 028 9027 0274. |
What information will I need?
You will need to fill in a birth registration form. This is usually completed by the person registering the birth (normally the child's mother).- Download birth registration form (PDF - 23KB)
- full name, surname and sex of the baby
- date and place of birth
- full names, addresses, dates of birth and occupations of the baby's mother and father.
Who can register?
- The mother or father of the baby, if you are a married couple
In the case of a child born to an unmarried couple, the details of the father may be recorded if:- both parents attend and sign the registration form together, or
- a declaration of paternity is produced.
A birth can also be registered to two female parents under certain circumstances. As this is complex and personal, we advise you to call a member of the registration staff on 028 9027 0455 for further information.
- grandfather or grandmother
- uncle or aunt
- occupier of the premises where the baby was born
- any person present at the child's birth
- any person who has charge of the child.
What will I receive?
Once the birth is registered, you will receive one free short birth certificate and a HS123 infant registration form to help you register with your family doctor and obtain your child's medical card. Additional certificates, either short or full, may be purchased at the time of registration for £8 per copy. You can pay by credit/debit card, cheque or cash.More information
The General Register Office, based at Oxford House, 49-55 Chichester Street, Belfast, BT1 4HL, provides help and advice about the following issues:- re-registering a birth, for example, if you want to add the father's name after the initial registration
- recording name changes
- ordering historical birth, death, marriage and civil partnership certificates.
