Registering a birth

Where to register a birth

Babies born in East Sussex (excluding Brighton & Hove)

You can register at any of our offices:

  • Crowborough
  • Eastbourne
  • Lewes
  • Hastings
Book a birth registration appointment

Babies born elsewhere

The birth should be registered by the registrar for the district where the birth took place. Search for a Register Office (gov.uk)

We have special arrangements with Brighton & Hove City Council and also with West Sussex County Council for East Sussex residents who gave birth in their administrative areas.

Babies born in Brighton & Hove

  • Residents of East Sussex who gave birth in Brighton & Hove can book online to register at the Lewes Register Office.

Residents of Brighton & Hove who gave birth in Brighton and Hove City Council’s administrative area cannot register at East Sussex register offices.

Babies born in West Sussex

Residents of West Sussex who gave birth in West Sussex County Council’s administrative area cannot register at East Sussex register offices.

Who can register a birth

Opposite-sex parents

Married or civil partner parents

Either parent can register the birth on their own. They must include both parents’ details if they were married or in a civil partnership when the baby was born or conceived.

The law does not allow both parents to sign the register if they are married or in a civil partnership.

Unmarried, non-civil partner parents 

The details of both parents can be included on the birth certificate if they both sign the birth register.

During the appointment, the registrar will need to interview both parents. 

If the unmarried mother attends alone, the father will not be named on the birth certificate. But he can be added at a later time by Re-registering the birth.

Same-sex female parents

Married or civil partner parents

Either parent can register the birth on their own if both of these statements are true:

  • the mother has a child by donor insemination or fertility treatment
  • she was married or in a civil partnership at the time of the treatment

Unmarried, non-civil partner parents

When a mother is not married or in a civil partnership, her partner can be registered as the child’s second parent if both women:

  • are treated together in the UK by a licensed clinic
  • have made a ‘parenthood agreement’

For both parents’ details to be recorded on the birth certificate, they must both attend  the appointment, and sign the register. 

Same-sex male parents

Male couples must get a parental order (gov.uk) from the court before they can be registered as parents. Please call us on 0345 60 80 198 to book an appointment in these circumstances. 

Other people who can register

In exceptional circumstances, if the parents cannot register the birth (for example, for medical reasons) certain other people can do it:

  • Someone who was present at the birth
  • Someone who is legally responsible for the child
  • A member of the administrative staff at the hospital where the child was born

Please call us on 0345 60 80 198 to arrange to register in these circumstances.

What will the registrar ask?

During the appointment, the registrar will ask you:

  • The date the baby was born
  • Where the baby was born
  • The full names of the parent(s) (including alternative and previous names)
  • Parent(s) dates and places of birth
  • The occupations of the parent(s)
  • The home address of the parent(s)

You MUST check the entry carefully before signing.

A correction to a birth register entry will cost up to £99 plus the cost of replacement certificates.

Certificates can only be issued after the register page is signed.

See our privacy notice, for more information about how we use your data.

Book a birth registration appointment

  • All births should be registered within 42 days.
  • Birth registration interviews are in person at our register offices.
  • Please arrive no more than 10 minutes before your appointment.
  • Our offices are small, only those essential to the registration should attend.
  • Where the parents are married or in a civil partnership, only one parent can sign the register.

It may be useful to bring:

  • Proof of identity (such as your passport or driving licence).
  • Proof of your address.

We can register the birth if you do not have these documents with you.

Book a birth registration appointment

Perjury warning

Any person who knowingly and wilfully gives false information to a registrar for the purposes of the registration of a birth is liable to prosecution for perjury.

Privacy notice

To book your appointment and to register a birth you will need to share some personal information with us. Please refer to our Privacy Notice for details about how and why we use your data.

Book a birth registration appointment