Registering a birth

Congratulations on your new baby! You need to register their birth within 42 days (6 weeks) as required by law. 

To register a birth in Waltham Forest, your baby must have been born at Whipps Cross Hospital, at home, or another address within the borough. 

You need to book an appointment before visiting the Register Office. We do not offer walk-in appointments. 

Birth certificates cost £12.50 each. You will need one to apply for a passport, claim benefits, register with a GP, and apply for school. 

The appointment takes about 20 minutes for one baby. It will take longer for multiple babies.  

The registrar will confirm your baby’s details before you sign the birth register. Make sure all the details are correct, as it costs £99 to correct a mistake afterwards.

Birth registration appointments can take place at:  

• Walthamstow Library 
• Leytonstone Library 
• Chingford Family Hub

For details on who needs to attend and who can be included on the birth certificate, check the Government’s guidance. 

• Your baby’s health record (Red Book) or NHS paperwork with the baby’s NHS number or parents’ passports or photo ID. 
• Marriage or civil partnership certificate (if applicable)

You need to register the birth at the local Register Office where your baby was born. Find your local Register office. 

If your baby was born in England or Wales but not in Waltham Forest, you can still book an appointment with us. However, the birth certificate will not be issued at the appointment. We will send the details to your local Register Office, and you will need to order copies of the certificates from your them. Wait 10 days after your appointment before requesting a certificate. 

You can only request a copy of the birth certificate after the baby has been registered. Find out more about how to request copies of a birth certificate.  

In some cases, you might need to re-register the birth. Learn more about re-registering your child or change their name.