Book an appointment to register a birth and find out about birth certificates.
When to register
You must register a birth within 42 days of the baby being born. This is a legal requirement.
Who can register the birth
See who can register a birth Go to https://www.gov.uk/register-birth/who-can-register-a-birth (opens new window) on GOV.UK.
Where to register
You should register the birth at the local register office for the area where the baby was born.
You can check which council covers the area where the baby was born Go to https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council (opens new window) on GOV.UK.
How to register
Baby born in Bristol
You can register a birth in Bristol at either the Bristol Register Office, or Southmead Register Office.
Bristol Register Office
If you register a birth at the Bristol Register Office you can purchase and collect birth certificates at your appointment.
Southmead Register Office
If you register a birth at Southmead Register Office you'll need to order certificates after your appointment.
You can order them by either:
- Online: Get a copy of a certificate
- Call: 0117 922 2800
They will be posted to you the following working day.
Book an appointment
If your child has already been registered call 0117 9222 800.
You must make an appointment to register a birth.
Don't visit the Register Office unless you have an appointment.
Location of register offices
Bristol Register Office
The Old Council House, Corn Street, Bristol, BS1 1JG.
The entrance is on Broad Street.
Southmead Register Office
Southmead Hospital, Brunel Building, Bristol, BS10 5NB.
The office is on level 1 by gate 12.
If you can't get to Bristol Register Office
You can go to another register office in England or Wales and they'll send the details to us. This is called making a declaration.
Find a register office Go to https://www.gov.uk/register-offices (opens new window) on GOV.UK.
Baby born outside Bristol
In England or Wales
If the baby was born in England or Wales, but outside Bristol and you can't get to the nearest register office to register the birth, you can usually book an appointment at one of our register offices.
We'll take all the details of the birth and pass them onto the right office. This is called making a declaration'.
Call 0117 922 2800 to make a declaration.
Outside England or Wales
If the baby was born:
- in Scotland, see register a birth Go to https://www.mygov.scot/register-a-birth (opens new window) on mygov.scot
- in Northern Ireland, see registering and naming your baby Go to https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/registering-and-naming-your-baby (opens new window) on nidirect.gov.uk
- abroad, see registering a birth abroad Go to https://www.gov.uk/register-a-birth (opens new window) on gov.uk
What to bring to the appointment
It helps us if you bring something to the appointment that shows your full name, such as:
- your passport or driving licence
- a bank statement
- a gas, water or electric bill
- your marriage or civil partnership certificate
You don't need to bring the baby to your appointment.
Try not to bring other children or babies to your appointment. We understand that this won't be possible for everyone, so if you come to your appointment with babies or children, you'll still be able to attend.
Try to bring a credit or debit card with you for contactless payment for the birth certificate. We don't accept Amex cards. If you can't bring a credit or debit card, we'll accept cash.
Disabled access
If you have a disability or need help accessing the Register Office, email register.office@bristol.gov.uk before your appointment.
What information we need to know
When registering the birth, we'll ask you for the:
- baby's place and date of birth
- time of birth, where more than one baby was born
- baby's names and sex
- parents' names and any previous names
- parents' addresses
- parents' places and dates of birth
- parents' jobs
- date of parents' marriage or civil partnership, if any
Birth certificates
Certificates cost £11 each.
You can buy copies of the birth certificate straightaway, if your baby was:
- born in the Bristol area and
- you're registering the birth in Bristol
If you're giving details of the birth at a register office in a different area to where the birth took place (making a declaration), you'll be able to buy certificates a few days afterwards.
Once we have the details, you'll be able to buy copies of the birth certificate at any time.
Correcting a mistake on a birth certificate
When registering a birth it's very important that you check the register page presented to you by the registrar.
You are signing to say that the information is correct and true.
Once signed the responsibility for the entry being correct lies with the person who registered.
If you notice a mistake after your appointment, we might not be able to correct it. If we can correct it, you'll be charged a fee of £75 or £90, depending on what needs to be changed.