Register a birth

To make changes to a birth record, you need to re-register the birth if you want to: 

• add a father’s name to a birth certificate 
• update the parents’ details following their marriage or civil partnership 
• add or change a first name 
• remove the wrong father’s details 

Adding the father’s name 

You can add the father’s details to a birth certificate by re-registering the birth.      

If the parents are not married to each other and you would like to add the natural father's details to the birth certificate, you will need to complete the GRO185 re-registration application form on GOV.UK  

Update following the parents’ marriage 

If you marry or form a civil partnership with the natural father after your child’s birth was registered, you must re-register the birth by law.  

When re-registering a birth, we will change the birth record to show that you are now married or civil partners.  

You can also change the child's and parent’s last names (if you wish) on the birth record. 

You will need to complete the LA1 re-registration application form on GOV.UK  

Once you have completed the form, email it to us and we will check it and let you know what to do next.