Births

It is a legal requirement for all births to be registered within 42 days of the date the child was born.

If your child was born in Hackney, they must be registered here. This is regardless of where you lived at the time of the birth.

 

Register a birth

Book an appointment if your baby was born in Hackney

You can book an appointment if your baby was born at Homerton University Hospital or at a home address within the borough.

Certificates cost £11. They must be paid for in advance by credit or debit card. This is because we can’t take any payment at the appointment.  

The free short certificate is no longer issued at the time of registration.

Book an appointment to register a birth

What to bring to the appointment

It’s advised that you bring at least 2 of the following documents:

  • passport
  • driving licence
  • birth certificate
  • marriage or civil partnership certificate
  • proof of address (for example, a council tax bill or a utility bill)
  • mother’s discharge papers (‘Maternal Delivery Transfer Summary’ is printed in the top left-hand corner)
  • baby’s red book if you don’t have the mother’s discharge papers
  • deed poll (if the parent has ever changed their name)

Registering a stillbirth

Stillbirths need to be registered within 42 days.  You need to make an appointment to register a stillbirth.

Re-registering a birth

It may be possible to re-register a birth:

  • to add the father’s details
  • following a marriage or civil partnership of natural parents
  • to add a second female parent

Copies of birth certificates

You can order a certificate for a birth that happened in Hackney from us.

Standard certificate orders are charged at a statutory fee of £11 per certificate, plus postage fees.

We aim to process and dispatch standard certificate orders within 10 working days.

Express certificate orders are charged at a statutory fee of £35 per certificate, plus postage fees.

We aim to process and dispatch express certificate orders within 2 working days.

How long it takes for you to receive your order once it’s been dispatched depends on the delivery option selected.

If for any reason we cannot produce your requested certificate, we will process a partial refund instead.

Order a copy certificate

Changing a child’s forenames on a birth certificate

You can change a child’s forenames (first and middle names) up to one year from the date you originally registered your child.

You must submit all change of name forms in person at the Hackney Service Centre. We will check through your completed form and take the required fee from you at our office. Allow 5 working days for us to make the amendments before ordering new certificates.

Amendments cost £40.

New certificates cost £11 each. You must order new certificates online after we make the amendments.

There are two different ways to change your child’s forename on a birth certificate:

The change to the child’s forename(s) will be made on the birth entry. It will show on any certificates issued from that point on.

The child’s new name will be shown in the bottom box of the birth certificate (space 17). The child’s name that they were originally given at the time of registration will always still appear in space 2.

Correcting an error on a birth certificate

You can apply to correct a birth registration when the information recorded is wrong. For example, if there is a mistake in the spelling of a parent’s name.

You can’t apply for a correction to show new information if circumstances change after you’ve registered your child’s birth. For example, if you’ve changed address.

You must make a correction application in person at the Hackney Service Centre. You need to bring your completed correction form and the original documents showing the correct information. We check through your application and documents and take the required fee from you at our office.

For further information, email registrars@hackney.gov.uk.

Naming ceremonies

See Commitment, renewal of vows and naming ceremonies.

Fees and charges

See births fees and charges.

Document legalisation

You can get some official UK documents legalised by asking the Legalisation Office to confirm that the signature, stamp or seal is from a UK public official.

See GOV.UK how to get your documents legalised.

Free reusable nappies

Hackney residents can try reusable nappies for free.

Page updated on: 12 December 2023

Registration Services

Address

Hackney Service Centre
1 Hillman Street
E8 1DY

Telephone

Email

Opening times

  • Monday to Friday – 9am to 4.30pm
  • Emergency out of hours death service: Saturday and Sunday - 9am to 11am, bank holidays (excluding Christmas Day) - 9am to 11am