Correct a birth certificate or re-register a birth

Correct a birth certificate

If a mistake was made when a birth was registered, it may be possible to correct the record. Depending on the type of correction these cost either £83 or £99. You need to:

• provide evidence of the change you want to make
• go to the register office to witness the correction (usually)

When to re-register a birth

There are two circumstances where a birth can be re-registered:

• the biological parents have married each other since the birth of their child, under the Legitimacy Act 1976
• to add the biological father's details to the original registration

How to re-register

If you want to re-register your child's birth, you need a:

• completed re-registration form
• marriage certificate, if the biological parents have married each other, or
• re-registration form to add the father's details

You can get a re-registration form at your local register office or download a form from GOV.UK.

Both parents need to fill in and sign the re-registration form, then contact the Register Office in England or Wales to make a an appointment.

Book an appointment

Contact us to book an appointment to correct a birth certificate or re-register a birth, or with any enquiries you may have.