Birth re-registering

About this service

The re-registering of a child's birth occurs for the following reasons:

If the natural parents marry after the birth of their child they are required under the Legitimacy Act 1976 to apply for the re-registration of their child's birth.
A birth may be re-registered to include the details of the natural father where the parents were not married at the time of the birth, have not married since and no father's name was recorded at the time of the birth, or at the time of the original registration.

You may attend any Register Office in England and Wales providing the child was born in England or Wales.

There are five Registration Offices in Wiltshire and opening hours and days vary. All offices operate an appointments' system to prevent unnecessary waiting; therefore it is advisable to telephone to make an appointment. The re-registration takes approximately 20 - 30 minutes.

Needs

For the re-registration after marriage, a form LA1 must be completed and signed by the both the natural parents, but it is only necessary for one of the parents to attend the Registration Office.

To add the details of the natural father where the parents were not married at the time of the birth, have not married since and no father's name was recorded at the time of the original registration. Form GRO 185 must be completed. Both parents must attend to re-register - further details available from the Register Office.

Forms LA1 and GRO 185 are available from any Registration Office.

When you visit the following information needs to be provided to the Registration Officer:

A completed form LA1 or GRO 185;
The child's full birth certificate;
The parents' marriage certificate.

Payment

The service is free of charge. However there is a charge of £3.50 for the issue of any new certificates. The fee increases to £7.00 if a certificate is purchased at a later date when a register is completed.

Eligibility

The married parents of the child/children or if unmarried see Needs

If you are unsure our staff will be pleased to explain further.

Contact Details

Wiltshire Register Office location and hours
Email: trowbridgeregisteroffice@wiltshire.gov.uk

Chippenham Registration Office location and hours
Email: chippenhamregistrationoffice@wiltshire.gov.uk

Devizes Registration Office location and hours
Email: devizesregisteroffice@wiltshire.gov.uk

Salisbury Registration Office location and hours
Email: salisburyregistrationoffice@wiltshire.gov.uk