Re-register a birth

To re-register a birth, please follow the process below and complete the relevant form. We will make checks then contact you to arrange an appointment. Please do not book a birth registration appointment until we contact you.

There are two types of birth re-registration:

1. Re-register a birth following the marriage or civil partnership of natural parents

When the natural parents of a child marry or form a civil partnership, there is a legal requirement to re-register the birth.

Since 13 July 2026, legislation does not allow a child's surname to be changed as part of a re-registration following marriage or civil partnership. Your child's surname will be recorded as it appears in the existing birth registration.

If you want to change the surname of your child, the following links may be of help:

Same-sex female couples

Mixed sex couples

Before you can re-register you will need to complete a form LA1 for each child.

Download the LA1 form

Full instructions on how to complete the Form LA1 can be found in Part A of the form.

If your child was born in Norfolk, send or drop your completed form/s into either the Norwich/King's Lynn Offices (Monday to Friday) or Great Yarmouth Office (Tuesday to Thursday) with your marriage or civil partnership certificate (see note 1) and your child's full birth certificate/s (see note 1)
Once we have your form/s and certificates (see note 1) we will make sure everything is in order and contact you to arrange a convenient appointment, at any registration office in Norfolk, for one or both of you to attend. Only one parent need attend
If your child was born outside Norfolk you can take or send the forms and certificates to the register office in the district where the child was born or alternatively you can re-register by making a declaration at any register office in England or Wales). Contact us if you need any more information.

Note 1: Please note all certificates must be either:

Originals (produced by a local registration service or the General Register Office; OR
'Certified' photocopies of originals (find out about Certifying a document on GOV.UK (opens new window))

2. Re-register a birth to add natural father's details.

Before you can re-register you will need to complete a Form 185 for each child.

Since 9 September 2025, legislation does not allow for a child's surname to be changed as part of a re-registration to add father's/parent's details. Your child's surname will be recorded as it appears in the existing birth registration.

If you want to change the surname of your child, the following links may be of help:

Download the Form 185 from GOV.UK (opens new window)

Full instructions on how to complete the Form 185 can be found in Part A of the form.

If your child was born in Norfolk, send or drop your completed form/s into either the Norwich, Great Yarmouth or King's Lynn Offices with your child's full birth certificate/s (see note 2)
Once we have your form/s and certificate/s (see note 2) we will make sure everything is in order and contact you to arrange a convenient appointment, at any registration office in Norfolk for you both to attend.
If one parent is unable to attend they can complete a statutory declaration of parentage form available from GOV.UK (opens new window). This should be provided to us at the same time as the 185-re-registration form/s and birth certificate/s (see note 2).
If your child was born outside Norfolk, you can take or send the form/s and certificate/s (see note 2) to the register office in the district where the child was born. Alternatively, you can re-register by making a declaration at any register office in England or Wales. Contact us if you need any more information.

Note 2: Please note all certificates must be either:

Originals (produced by a local registration service or the General Register Office; OR
'Certified' photocopies of originals (find out about Certifying a document on GOV.UK (opens new window))

Form 185 asks that you send us certified photocopies only, but for your ease we do accept original certificates.

Essential information for both types of re-registration

Both parents must sign and date the form
There is no charge for the re-registration
New certificates which supersede the original birth certificate will cost £12.50 on the day of the re-registration
At your re-registration appointment please bring any original birth certificates not already sent to us with your re-registration form/s
A child's surname cannot be changed as part of a re-registration. Your child's surname will be recorded as it appears in the existing birth registration.