You need to re-register a birth if you marry or form a civil partnership with the natural father after your child's birth was registered. This is a legal requirement.
You can also re-register a birth if you want the natural father's name on the birth record and it is not on the original record. This gives the natural father parental responsibility for the child.
If you simply wish to register the birth of your new baby, see: Register a birth.
What you can change
You can change the child’s surname at re-registration following a marriage or civil partnership.
It can be changed to the same as the mother, the natural father or any combination of the two as long as both parents agree to the change.
Where the child is 16 years or over, they need to provide written consent.
You cannot change a child’s forenames at re-registration.
How to re-register
- You complete the application form and gather the documents we need to re-register the birth
- You send us the application and documents by post
- We contact you to arrange an appointment to re-register the birth in person at Hounslow Register Office
Application forms
- Application to re-register a birth following marriage or civil partnership of natural parents (GOV.UK)
- Application to re-register a child’s birth and add the father's details (GOV.UK)
Documents we need:
- completed application form
- an original copy of the birth certificate
- if applicable, an original copy of your marriage or civil partnership certificate
If you were not married in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, we will need to refer your application to the General Register Office for authorisation. If your marriage certificate is not in English, we would need a translation.
Who needs to come to the appointment
For re-registration after a marriage or civil partnership, only one parent is required to come to the re-registration appointment. Both parents are welcome to come.
For re-registration to add the natural father's details, both parents are required to come to the re-registration appointment. If there is a reason why both parents cannot attend together, the parent who cannot attend must complete a Statutory declaration of acknowledgement of parentage form (GOV.UK).
Birth certificates
You can purchase a new birth certificate or certificates on the day of your re-registration appointment.
A certificate costs £12.50.
