Every birth in England and Wales must be registered within 42 days (6 weeks) of the child being born.
Book an appointment to register a birth
Who can register a birth
Married parents
Either parent can register the birth on their own. They can include both parents' details if they were married when the baby was born or conceived.
Unmarried parents
If you weren't married to each other when the baby was born or conceived then the mother can register the birth alone, but only her details can be recorded.
If you would like the father's details to be recorded, then both parents must attend and both sign the register. If it is not possible for the father to attend, please contact us for further advice.
If you have special circumstances such as a parental responsibility agreement in force, or court order, or circumstances in which the unmarried mother is unable to attend please contact us for further advice.
Read more information on who can register a birth.
Where to register a birth
You can register a birth in the Dorset Council area at one of our register offices.
What you'll need to bring
From Monday 9 November 2026, you must bring identification to your appointment to register a birth. If parents are married, only one of them needs to bring ID. If parents are not married and the father wishes to be recorded in the register, both parents must bring ID.
You must bring either one item from the primary list, or two items from the secondary list.
| Document type | Format | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Passport (current or expired) Expired passports may be accepted up to 18 months after the date of expiry. Applies to UK and overseas passports. |
Physical document booklet | Booklet-style identity and travel document. Cover colours and internal layouts vary by country and issuing authority. |
| UK biometric immigration document | Physical or digital document | May be a durable plastic document similar in size to a credit card, or an online immigration status record viewed through the eVisa service. |
| UK valid travel document | Physical document booklet | Black cover booklet-style travel document, similar in format to a UK passport. |
| UK Refugee Travel Document Issued under Article 28 of the 1951 Geneva Convention |
Physical document booklet | Blue cover booklet-style travel document, similar in format to a UK passport. |
| UK Stateless Person Travel Document Issued under Article 28 of the 1954 Geneva Convention |
Physical document booklet | Red cover booklet-style travel document, similar in format to a UK passport. |
| UK driving licence (full or provisional) The paper counterpart driving licence is not acceptable. |
Physical or digital document | Photocard driving licence in a durable plastic format, similar in size to a credit card. Driving licence information may also be viewed or shared through the DVLA online service. |
| UK birth certificate | Physical document | Full or short birth certificate issued by the relevant authority. |
| UK adoption certificate | Physical document | Adoption certificate issued by the relevant authority. |
| EU driving licence | Physical document | 77 Photocard driving licence in a durable plastic format, similar in size to a credit card. Council of the European Union - PRADO |
| EU Member State identity card | Physical document | 86 Photo identity document in a durable plastic format, similar in size to a credit card. Council of the European Union - PRADO |
| PASS card Proof of Age Standards Scheme |
Physical or digital document | 98 Photo proof-of-age identity document in a durable plastic format, similar in size to a credit card. A digital PASS option may also be available through an accredited provider. PASS 5stepCheck Scheme PASS Digital |
Alternatively, if you are unable to provide a document above, we will require two forms of identification from the list below
| Document type | Format | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Utility bill (not mobile phone bill) |
Physical or digital document | Electricity, gas, water, landline telephone or broadband bill. |
| Council Tax statement | Physical or digital document | Council Tax bill, statement or related Council Tax correspondence issued by a local authority. |
| Bank or building society statement | Physical or digital document | Statement issued by a bank or building society. |
| Mortgage statement | Physical or digital document | Statement issued by a mortgage provider. |
| Credit card statement | Physical or digital document | Statement issued by a credit card provider. |
| State benefit, pension or tax credit entitlement from DWP/HMRC | Physical or digital document | Evidence confirming entitlement to a state or child benefit, pension or tax credit, Carer’s Allowance, Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment, Employment and Support Allowance, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Pension Credit or Attendance Allowance. HMRC tax code notices, Self Assessment notices, statements and National Insurance correspondence. |
| P45 or P60 | Physical or digital document | Employment tax document. These are often issued electronically, but a paper copy may also be provided. Your P45, P60 and P11D form - GOV.UK |
| Marriage or civil partnership certificate | Physical document only for UK certificates | Paper certificate for UK marriage or civil partnership entries. Overseas marriage or civil partnership evidence may be presented in paper form or, where applicable, through a digital route. |
| Letter from a government agency | Physical or digital document | UK government department, agency or public body. Tenancy, housing benefit, vehicle tax, citizenship, electoral registration, jury service, Carer’s Allowance or higher education correspondence. |
| Letter from the National Health Service | Physical or digital document | Appointment, referral or discharge letters, a child health record ("red book") or fit note. |
| HMRC notification (or successor body) |
Physical or digital document | HMRC correspondence issued in relation to tax or related matters, such as National Insurance contributions, Tax Credits or tax overpayments. Check if a letter you've received from HMRC is genuine - GOV.UK |
| Police or Armed Forces ID | Physical document | For UK police and Armed Forces IDs, this is usually a photo identity document in a durable plastic format, similar in size to a credit card. Overseas police or forces ID documents may differ. HM Armed Forces Veteran Card - GOV.UK |
| Signed firearms certificate | Physical document | A4 paper certificate with security features and a photograph. Firearm and Registered Firearms Dealer certificates should be printed on blue paper. Shotgun certificates should be printed on buff/beige paper. |
| Proof of Royal Mail Redirection | Physical document | Proof or confirmation of a Royal Mail Redirection, normally issued on Royal Mail letterhead. Royal Mail Redirection |
| Document issued by the person's local authority | Physical or digital document | Tenancy agreement, housing benefit correspondence, Blue Badge correspondence, social care notifications or electoral registration letters. |
| Proof of receipt of State Pension | Physical or digital document | Proof benefits and State Pension letter from DWP, or correspondence confirming a State Pension claim or change to entitlement. |
| School or college letter (16 to 19 year olds) |
Physical or digital document | Letter or document issued by a school or college for a young person aged 16 to 19. |
What you'll need to tell us
The registrar will need to know:
- the date and place of the birth (the time is only required in the case of multiple births e.g. twins)
- name, surname and sex of the baby
- date of parents' marriage if applicable
- parents' occupations
- mother's maiden surname
We'll also need to know:
- parents' names, surnames and address
- places and dates of parents' birth
We recommend that you bring your passports or birth certificates to prove this information and prevent mistakes.
Birth certificates
You can buy a birth certificate at your appointment for £12.50.
Births outside of the Dorset Council area
If the baby was born outside of the Dorset Council area (including Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole) you should register the birth in the district where the birth took place. If you are resident in the Dorset Council area you can make a declaration with us for a birth that occurred elsewhere. We will take the details and send them on to the registrars where the baby was born and they will complete the registration. You may need to contact them to order certificates.
Privacy Notice
For more information about how we handle your personal data see the Registration Service Privacy Notice.