Registering a birth
All births must be registered within 42 days of the baby's birth.
If the baby's parents are married to each other or in a civil partnership, either parent can register the birth.
If the baby's parents are not married or in a civil partnership, the baby's mother must register the birth. If the second parent wishes to be on the register, they must also be there to register the birth. If this is not possible, contact Stockport Register Office for more information.
The law allows unmarried parents to have equal parental responsibility. All you need to do is register your baby’s birth together.
Births must be registered where the baby was born. If the baby was not born in Stockport, you'll need to contact the register office where the baby was born to register the birth. Visit GOV.UK to find the correct register office.
Same sex female couples
If the mother is married to or in a civil partnership with a woman at the time of the treatment, the woman’s spouse or civil partner will be regarded as the second female parent, unless it is shown that she did not consent to the treatment or a separation order was in force.
If the mother is not married or in a civil partnership, for her female partner to be regarded as the second female parent the treatment must have taken place at a UK licensed clinic and written consent provided by the mother and her female partner, a parental agreement, and that consent has not been withdrawn.
Where the mother and the second female parent who have a parental agreement in place marry or form a civil partnership with each other after the treatment but before the child is born, the birth can be registered as a child of the marriage or civil partnership.
Registering a birth by declaration
If you're a Stockport resident that gave birth somewhere else, you can make a declaration to register the birth in Stockport. You'll need to give us details, which we'll then send to the relevant authority to complete the registration.
We cannot issue any birth certificates at the appointment, you must order these from the authority where the birth occurred, so you may experience a delay. Visit GOV.UK to find details of Register Offices.
Registering a stillbirth
You can get advice about registering a stillbirth in England and Wales from your local registrar. If the stillbirth occurred in Stockport, contact the registrar on 0161 217 6007.