You can re-register a birth for two reasons:
- to add the name of the father on to the birth certificate – whether by choice or because of a court order
- if the natural parents have married since the birth of their child.
How to re-register a birth
A birth can be re-registered at any time by the natural parents regardless of the age of the child. It can be done at a registration office in the district where the birth occurred, or by declaration at any other registration office in England and Wales.
There is no charge for the re-registration, but a copy of the new certificate is £3.50 on the day of the re-registration.
If you wish to re-register a birth in East Sussex, you are advised to book an appointment. Find contact details for registration offices.
Name changes
If re-registering the birth changes the surname of the person whose birth has been re-registered, then you will need to inform a number of people about this name change. Download our list of people to be notified of your change of name.
You cannot change a person's first name when you re-register their birth. For more details about changing first names, see our page on name changes.
East Sussex County Council