What evidence do I need to register or re-register a birth?
From 9 November 2026, anyone registering or re-registering a birth must provide evidence of their identity.
If both parents are registering the birth together, each parent must provide their own identification.
Any other person who is legally entitled to register the birth must also provide identification.
You can provide either:
- one document from the primary list
or
- two documents from the secondary list
Check the lists below before your appointment to make sure you bring the correct documents.
If you cannot provide the required evidence, contact us before attending your appointment.
Provide one document from the primary list
| Document type | Format |
|---|---|
|
Passport (current or expired) Expired passports may be accepted up to 18 months after the date of expiry. Applies to UK and overseas passports. |
Physical document |
|
UK or EU driving licence (full or provisional) The paper counterpart driving licence is not acceptable. |
Physical document |
| UK birth or adoption certificate | Physical document |
|
PASS card (Proof of Age Standards Scheme) |
Physical or digital document |
| EU Member State identity card | Physical document |
| UK biometric immigration document | Physical or digital document |
| UK valid travel document | Physical document |
|
UK Refugee Travel Document Issued under Article 28 of the 1951 Geneva Convention |
Physical document |
| UK Stateless Person Travel Document. Issued under Article 28 of the 1954 Geneva Convention | Physical document |
Provide two documents from the secondary list
| Document type | Format |
|---|---|
|
Utility bill (not mobile phone bill) |
Physical or digital document |
| Council Tax statement | Physical or digital document |
| Bank or building society statement | Physical or digital document |
| Mortgage statement | Physical or digital document |
| Credit card statement | Physical or digital document |
| State benefit, pension or tax credit entitlement from DWP/HMRC | Physical or digital document |
| P45 or P60 | Physical or digital document |
| Marriage or civil partnership certificate | Physical for UK certificates Physical or digital document for overseas certificates |
| Letter from a government agency | Physical or digital document |
| Letter from the National Health Service | Physical or digital document |
| HMRC notification | Physical or digital document |
| Police or Armed Forces ID | Physical document |
| Signed firearms certificate | Physical document |
| Proof of Royal Mail Redirection | Physical document |
| Document issued by the person’s local authority | Physical or digital document |
| Proof of receipt of State Pension | Physical or digital document |
|
School or college letter (16 to 19 year olds) |
Physical or digital document |