In some cases, you must register a birth again, which makes a new record in the birth register.
You must re-register a birth if:
- you marry or enter a civil partnership with your child’s natural parent, even if both parents were named in the original registration. This type of re-registration is a legal requirement
- the father's details were not included originally and you now wish to add them
You cannot change a child's forename or surname at re-registration. Find information on changing a child's forename.
If you wish to change your child's surname, you could consider completing a 'deed poll' or a 'change of name deed'. The new name cannot be added or included on the birth register entry, but it is a legal way to change a person's name. You can find further information on how to change yours or your child's name on GOV.UK or through a solicitor.
Following the natural parents’ marriage
You should bring the following:
- child’s full birth certificate
- completed form LA1, signed by both parents
- original marriage certificate. Your application will be referred to the General Register Office if you married outside of the UK
- one parent must attend the registry office
Add the birth father’s details
You should bring the following:
- child’s full birth certificate
- completed form GRO 185, signed by both parents
- both parents attend
- one parent attends with a statutory declaration completed by the other parent
- one parent attends with an additional document listed in Section 6 – Court Involvement on the form (one parent to sign form GRO 185)
Costs
There is no charge for the re-registration of a birth.
If you need a copy of the new birth certificate following re-registration, you can buy this for £12.50 from the district where your child was born.
Book an appointment
You must book an appointment to re-register a birth.
This is only available for births that happened in England or Wales.
To book a re-registration appointment at any of our registration offices in Lincolnshire, please book online and select re-registering a birth when prompted.