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Register a birth

Babies born in Northern Ireland must be registered within 42 days (6 weeks) of being born.  

When you register your baby with us, you will get one free short form birth certificate and an Infant Registration Card (HS123). You can then register your baby with a doctor, obtain a medical card and claim any family-related benefits. 

You can make an appointment to register a birth at any of our District Registrar Offices in Cookstown, Dungannon or Magherafelt using our online form below.

Book your appointment online to register a birth

 

Please make sure you arrive for your appointment on time. 


Who can register the birth? 

A birth can be registered by: 

  • the mother or the father (if the child's parents were married to each other or in an opposite sex civil partnership with each other at the time of birth or conception) 

  • the mother or second female parent* (if they are married or in a civil partnership with each other at time of donor insemination or fertility treatment) 

  • the father and mother (if unmarried or not in a civil partnership). Read the notes on jointly registering your baby's birth before making your appointment. 

In certain circumstances another person can register a child's birth; please email us for more information.  

*Second female parent is determined in accordance with Part 2 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008, Parenthood in Cases Involving Assisted Reproduction. Sections 42 to 43 set out the conditions for Cases in which woman to be other parent.
Please note: a woman cannot be treated as second female parent where the child has been conceived naturally. If you have any queries about these conditions, you should consult with a solicitor. 


What we need to register a birth 

We need the following information to register a birth: 

  • a birth registration form filled in by the person registering the birth 

  • full name of the baby (first and last names). You should ensure that the Name(s) and Surname of the child are those by which the child is to be known

  • sex and date of birth of the baby (for multiple births we'll also need the time of each baby's birth) 

  • district and place of birth of the baby 

  • full names and dates of birth of parents 

  • full addresses and occupations of the parents 


Booking and attending your appointment 

If you're not able to attend after making your appointment, please cancel your booking to free the time up for someone else. Your confirmation email/SMS includes details of how to do this. 

You must also bring with you to your appointment: 

  • the personal child health record (red book) 

  • a form of identification for yourself, such as a passport, driving licence, electoral card, or other photographic ID

Additional copies of birth certificates, either short or long, can be bought from the Registrar at the time of registration for £8.00 per copy. You can pay by credit/debit card, cheque or cash.   

Please remember that a registration cannot easily be changed once completed.


What is the purpose of registration? 

The records provide positive information about individuals and are used for many legal and administrative purposes (for example: National Insurance, Education, Transfer of Property, Employment, Obtaining a Passport, etc.)

Information collected on birth registration forms is used for the preparation and supply of statistical information (for example: Fertility Rates, Population Estimates, etc.) published yearly in the Registrar General Annual Report. Some of the information is strictly confidential and does not appear on the birth certificate.