What information is on a UK Birth Certificate?

UK Long-Form Birth Certificates

In the UK, there are two types of Birth Certificates: short-form and long-form. A short-form certificate only shows the child's name, date of birth, place of birth, and gender, and cannot be used as an official form of ID. A long-form UK birth certificates contains the following details:

Registration District, Sub-District, and County: This refers to the area where the birth was registered, not necessarily where the birth took place. For example, if someone was born near Wembley Stadium, the certificate would state:
- Sub-District: Wembley
- District: Brent
- County: Greater London
Full Name of the Person Born: This includes the full name, including any middle names provided at registration, but does not include names added later (e.g., assumed names or nicknames).
Date of Birth: The full date of birth is listed. It typically does not include the time of birth, except in cases of multiple births (e.g., twins or triplets), where the time of each birth is also recorded.
Place of Birth: The certificate will state the exact location of birth, such as the address of a home birth or the name of the hospital for a hospital birth.
Mother's Full Name: The mother's full name, including any middle names, will be listed on the birth certificate.
Mother’s Maiden Surname (and Other Previous Names): The mother's maiden name and any other names from previous marriages will be included.
Mother’s Place of Birth: For recent births, the birth certificate may include the town and county where the mother was born.
Mother’s Occupation: The mother's occupation at the time of the birth may also be included for recent births.
Mother’s Usual Address: If the child was born in a hospital and not at home, the mother’s usual address will be recorded.
Father's Full Name: If the father is named, his full name, including any middle names, will be included. The father must be present at the time of registration to be named on the certificate.
Father’s Occupation: The father's occupation at the time of the birth will be included if his name appears on the birth certificate.
Signature, Description, and Residence of Informant: If neither the mother nor father were available to register the birth, the person who registered the birth will be recorded, along with their description, address, and signature.
Date the Birth was Registered: The birth must be registered within 42 days of the birth date. The date of registration is recorded on the certificate, which may be different from the actual birth date.
Signature of Registrar: The name and signature (or typed name in recent years) of the registrar who handled the registration of the birth will be included.
Date the Certificate was Produced: The date the certificate was issued will be recorded, especially for re-issued certificates.

Copies of UK Birth Certificates
Re-issued birth certificates will include the wording "Certified to be a true copy of an entry in the births register." This ensures the certificate is an official copy of the original birth register entry, suitable for all official purposes, including passport applications, visa applications, and proof of right to work.

Can You Request Someone Else’s Birth Certificate?
Yes, birth certificates are public records in the UK, and anyone can request a copy as long as they have the necessary details. For births within the last 50 years, you must provide the full name, date of birth, both parents’ names, and the mother’s maiden name, in line with privacy laws. For births that occurred more than 50 years ago, less information is needed.

Need a Copy of a Birth Certificate?
You can request an copy of a UK Birth Certificate here.. We only provide long-form certificates, which are accepted for all official purposes.