Registering a Birth

Births must be registered within 42 days of the birth taking place. The registration of births is by appointment only. It usually takes about 30 minutes to register a birth.

The birth should be registered in the district where it occurred. If it is more convenient, details of the birth may be given at another register office in England or Wales by making a declaration.

Certain information and documentation is required to register a birth. Register Office staff will be happy to give you details when you make your appointment.

Births can be registered at the Town Hall Register Office (Monday to Friday) and at Goldthorpe Barnsley Connects Office every Wednesday or at Barnsley Connects Office in Penistone on Thursday mornings. Appointments must be made in advance.

Registration is by appointment only.

One short Birth Certificate is issued free of charge at the time of registration. Charges apply for copy or additional certificates. Payment can be made by cash, cheques, credit and debit cards. Cheques should be made payable to Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council.

Where and When can I Register a Birth?

Your baby's birth must be registered within 42 days.

If the baby was born within the Barnsley Registration District, the baby should be registered at your local Register Office which is situated within the Town Hall, Church Street, Barnsley.

If you are unable to visit the Register Office in Barnsley you can go to any other Register Office in England and Wales and have the birth registered by declaration. In that case any birth certificates you may want and the card issued to enable you to have your baby registered with a doctor would be sent to you by post.

It is a legal duty to register a birth within 42 days. Failure to do so will not only leave you liable to prosecution but will also make it impossible for you to register to receive family allowance or register your baby with a doctor.

Who Can Register a Birth?

It is usual practice for the baby's mother to register the birth but if the parents of the baby were married at the time of the birth then it is possible for the baby's father to do this. If the parents of the baby were not married to each other at the time of the birth the father's details can only be entered into the register under certain circumstances. If you telephone the Register Office, staff there will be pleased to explain these to you.

If the parents of the baby were not married at the time of the birth there is no obligation to have the father's details included in the entry, but it may be possible for this to be done at a later date. Again, Register Office Staff will be happy to explain the procedure.

What Information is Required to Register a Birth?

Baby:

1. The date and place of birth. The time of each baby's birth is required for multiple births;
2. The baby's sex;
3. Forenames and surname.

Father: (where these details are to be entered in the register)

1. Forenames and surname;
2. Date and place of birth;
3. Occupation at the time of baby's birth or, if he was not employed at that time, the occupation he last followed.

Mother:

1. Forenames and surname. (Maiden name will also be required if she is, or has been, married);
2. Date and place of birth;
3. Usual address at the date of the birth;
4. Occupation;
5. If the parents were married to each other at the time of the birth, the date of marriage;
6. The number of other children by present and any former husband.

What Certificates will be Issued to me?

After the birth has been registered a short birth certificate will be issued free of charge. A full birth certificate which is a complete copy of the entry in the register can be obtained if necessary. There is a charge for full certificates.

Further short birth certificates and full birth certificates can be purchased at the time of registration or at any time afterwards.

Why do I Need to Register the Birth of my Baby?

You need to register your baby to get a birth certificate. This is required to claim Child Benefit and any other family-related benefits and to get a National Health Service number which your doctor will need.

The Register Office can be contacted at:-

The Register Office
Town Hall
PO Box 634
Barnsley
S70 9GG

Tel: 01226 773090 
Location Map of Barnsley Registry Office

Email: Registration Services

Barnsley Town Hall opening times are 9.00 am to 4.00 pm Monday to Friday

Goldthorpe Barnsley Connects Office opening hours are 10.00 am to 4.00 pm Wednesdays.

Penistone Barnsley Connects Office every Tuesday morning.

The General Register Office offers further official information.