Book an Appointment to Register a Birth
Every birth in England and Wales must be registered within 42 days (6 weeks) of the child being born.
Birth appointments are face to face appointments held in local Registration Offices.
The easiest way to book your appointment is online. However, please read all the below information before starting to make your booking.
Book appointment Online to Register a Birth
Before you book your appointment to register a birth, please note you will not be able to save this form to complete later so please allow yourself at least 5 minutes to complete the booking online.
Alternatively to book an appointment by phone please contact Cornwall Council Contact Centre on 0300 1234 181.
Our phone lines are open:
- Monday 9am to 6pm
- Tuesday 9am to 6pm
- Wednesday 10am to 6pm
- Thursday 9am to 6pm
- Friday 9am to 6pm
For details and opening hours of our offices, please visit our Registration Offices page.
Where to register the birth
If your baby was born in Cornwall you may attend any of our registration offices.
If your baby was born outside of Cornwall you should register the birth in the district where the birth took place. Or you may attend any other registration office in England and Wales to make a declaration of the details required for the registration. In this case, any birth certificates you need will be sent to you by post.
Who can register the birth?
Please refer to the Government's information on who can register a birth and for the information that you will need to register a birth.
Errors and corrections
It is important that the information recorded in the register is correct. If you notice a mistake, however small, after the registration is complete, there will be a correction fee.
The fee to apply for a correction will be £83 or £99 depending on the nature of the correction. Please note that payment of the fee does not guarantee the correction can be made.
Certificates
Standard (or full) birth certificates are available at £12.50 each. You can order birth certificates when you make your appointment booking or we can accept cash, cheques, credit or debit card at your appointment. The standard birth certificate is suitable for all Government departments, for example, a passport application.
Order a copy birth certificate
Commemorative Certificates
You can purchase a commemorative certificate to celebrate the birth of a child.
Order one for yourself or as a unique and memorable gift for a relative or friend.
The cost of a certificate is £17.60.
For further details please contact us on 0300 1234 181 or registration@cornwall.gov.uk, or speak to the Registrar at your appointment.
A commemorative certificate is a keepsake, not a legal document.
Re-Registration of a birth
To re-register a birth please book an appointment by phone. Please contact Cornwall Council Contact Centre on 0300 1234 181.
For details and opening hours of our offices, please visit our Registration Offices page.