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REGISTERING A BIRTH By law all births occurring in Northern Ireland must be registered. You must register your baby's birth within 42 days of the date of birth. You will require proof of the birth for a variety of purposes, i.e. to register the baby with a doctor, to claim child benefit. Who can register a Baby? The following people can register a child's birth: - the mother or father of the baby – if you are a married couple. However in the case of a child born outside marriage, the name of the father can only be recorded in the entry of birth if both parents are in attendance and sign the registration together. If either parent is unavailable, you should speak to the Registrar. Further information on unmarried fathers is available from the birth registration form
- maternal grandmother, grandfather, aunt or uncle of the baby who has knowledge of the birth
- occupier of the premises where baby was born
- any person present at the birth
- any person having charge of the child.
Where can the birth be registered? - In the Registrar's District where the birth took place, or where the mother normally lived at the time of the birth.
What information will I need to bring with me?  What you receive when you register?
Once the registration has been completed, the Registrar will issue the following : - HS123 Infant Registration Sheet to register with Doctor and obtain medical card
- 1 free short birth certificate automatically issued at time of registration
Any certified copies (short or full copies) may be purchased from the Registrar at a cost of £6.00 each. 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).
They provide valuable statistics (for example, Fertility Rates, Population Estimates, etc). The statistics are published yearly in the Registrar General Annual Report. A “Birth Registration” Form is filled in by the person registering the baby (normally the mother). Please note that a registration cannot be easily changed once completed. Births Registered Prior to 1997 Certified copies of all births registered in Northern Ireland may only be obtained from : General Register Office
Oxford House
49-55 Chichester Street
Belfast
BT1 4HL
Telephone number : (028) 9025 2000 www.groni.gov.uk (Certificates can be ordered on line)
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