Re-register a birth

Under certain circumstances, it is possible to re-register a child’s birth.

You can do this when:

• The parents have married each other after the child’s birth
• The child was originally registered without the father’s details and both parents later decide they would like father's details included in the birth entry

There is no provision in law to re-register a child's birth solely because the child’s name has been changed by deed poll or statutory declaration.

Where can I re-register?

For children born within Wigan and Leigh, you can re-register the birth at: 

• Wigan Register Office - Wigan Life Centre (North) on Tuesdays and Thursdays

If your child was born outside the district of Wigan and Leigh, you will need to go to the register office in the district in which the birth occurred to complete the re-registration.

If you are unable to attend the Register Office in the district where the birth took place, you can make an appointment to re-register the birth by declaration at Wigan Register Office.

During the appointment, the registrar will complete a declaration and send it to the registration district where the birth occurred. This allows the birth to be re-registered without you needing to attend that office in person.

Once the birth has been re-registered, you will need to order any birth certificates directly from the registration district where the birth took place.

Making an appointment

• Book an appointment to re-register a birth (external link)

Please note the following:

• If you cannot make your appointment you must tell us by changing your appointment online (external link)

Who should attend the appointment?

• If the natural parents have married after the child was born, then either the mother or father can attend alone
• If the natural father’s details are being added (and the parents are not married to each other) both mother and father must be present

What to bring to your appointment

From 9th November 2026, anyone re-registering a birth will need to bring identification to their appointment to re-register a birth.

If you are not married or in a civil partnership and are adding the natural fathers’ details, both parents must provide identification.

If you are married or in a civil partnership, only the parent attending the appointment needs to provide identification.

Please see the accepted list of identification documents.

• Provide a signed and completed re-registration application form
  • If re-registering following marriage, complete Form LA1 (external link)
  • If re-registering to add natural fathers details, complete Form GRO 185 (external link)

• Provide child’s birth certificate
• Provide parents’ marriage certificate (if applicable)