What information is on a UK Birth Certificate?
UK Long-Form Birth Certificates
In the UK, there are two types of Birth Certificate; a long and short-form. A short-form only shows the child's name, DOB, place of birth and gender. These are not accepted as ID within the UK. For all long-form UK birth certificates you will find the following information:
Registration district, sub-district and county
The registration location provides the official area where the birth was registered. This will be the district within which the birth took place rather than the exact place of birth. For example, for someone born near Wembley Stadium in London, the following details would be provided:
- Sub-District: Wembley
- District: Brent
- County: Greater London
Full name of person born
The full name of the person whose birth the certificate relates to will be provided including any supplied middle names. This will not include any names added after the birth was registered such as assumed names, nicknames or confirmation names.
Date of birth
The full date of birth is stated for the person on the certificate. Under normal circumstances this will not include the time of birth. The only exception to this would be in the case of multiple births (such as twins or triplets) where the time of each birth will be added in the date section.
Place of birth
The certificate will state the exact place of birth which will either be the house/building address in the case of a home birth, or the name of the hospital in the case of a hospital birth.
Mother's full name
In all circumstances, the mother's full name will be supplied on the birth certificate of the child. This includes any middle names.
Mother's maiden surname (and any other previous names)
Any previous names the mother has been known by, including her maiden (birth) surname and any other previous marriage names, will be stated on the certificate.
Mother's Place of Birth
For recent births, the child's birth certificate will also include the town and county where the mother was born.
Mother's Occupation
For recent births, the child's birth certificate will also include the occupation of the mother at the time of the birth.
Mother's Usual Address
In the event that the child was not born at the mother's home address, her usual address will be recorded on the certificate. This is most likely when the child was born in a hospital.
Father's full name
Where the father has been named, his full name will be provided on the child's birth certificate, including any middle names. The father can now only be named on the certificate if he is present at the time the birth was registered.
Father's Occupation
If the father has been named on the child's birth certificate, his occupation at the time of birth will also be recorded.
Signature, description and residence of informant
In cases where neither the mother or father were available to register the birth, the person registering the birth of the child will be recorded on the certificate. These details will include a description of who they are, their address, and their signature.
Date the birth was registered
It is typical that the birth will be recorded on a different day to the date of birth. Under UK law, the birth must be recorded within 42 days of the date of birth. The date of the actual registration is recorded on the child's birth certificate.
Signature of registrar
The registrar that handled the registration of the birth will be recorded on the certificate. This could be either a handwritten signature or typed (in recent years).
Date the certificate was produced
In the case of a re-issue of the original registration document, the actual date that the document was issued is recorded on the birth certificate.
Copies of UK Birth Certificates
Re-issued birth certificates will include words to the effect of "Certified to be a true copy of an entry in the births register". This is standard wording on every official birth certificate as it relates to the fact that the certificate is, in essence, copying details from the original birth register. It does not mean that it is a photocopy of an original and therefore can be used for all official purposes such as passports, visa applications and right to work documents.
Can you request someone else's Birth Certificate?
Yes, in the UK Birth Certificates are public records, so anyone can request a copy provided they know the details. If you're requesting a certificate for a birth which took place in the last 50 years, you will need ot be able to provide the full name of the child, date of birth, both parent's names and the mother's maiden name. This is due to privacy laws. If the event look place over 50 years ago, much less information is required in order to request a copy of the certificate.
Need a copy of a birth certificate?
You can request an official copy of a UK Birth Certificate here. We only provide long-form certificates will be accepted for all official purposes.