From Monday 9th November 2026 parents will need to provide identification when attending the Register Office to register their baby. Please see the accepted list of identification documents.
If you do not bring the required identification to your appointment, you will not be able to register the birth of your baby and your appointment will need to be re-arranged.
Where can I register a birth?
You must register a birth at a register office within 42 days of the child being born. You must do this in the district where the birth took place.
For all babies born in the district of Wigan and Leigh you can register the birth at:
You must make an appointment to register a birth.
Making an appointment
Please note the following:
Who should attend the appointment?
- If you are married or in a civil partnership only one parent is required to register the birth, but both parents can attend if you wish
- If you are not married or in a civil partnership and the mother wishes to have the father's details entered in the register, then both parents must attend
You are welcome to bring your baby with you, but this is not required.
What to bring to your appointment
From 9th November 2026, anyone registering a birth will need to bring identification to their appointment to register a birth.
If you are not married or in a civil partnership and you would like the father's details included on the birth registration, 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 our list of accepted identification documents to check what you need to bring.
Certificates
If you require any certificates the fee is £12.50 per certificate.
Certificates can be ordered and paid for when booking your appointment online. Additional certificates can also be purchased during your appointment. Please note that we accept debit and credit card payments only. Cash payments cannot be accepted.
You may require a birth certificate for:
- Opening a bank account in your child's name
- Registering your child with a nursery or school
- Applying for benefits, including Child Benefit
- Other official and legal purposes
Baby born outside Wigan and Leigh?
If your baby was born outside the district of Wigan and Leigh then you will need to go to the register office in the district in which the birth occurred to complete the registration.
If you are unable to attend the Register Office in the district where the birth took place, you can make an appointment to register the birth by declaration at either Wigan or Leigh 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 registered without you needing to attend that office in person.
Once the birth has been registered, you will need to order any birth certificates directly from the registration district where the birth took place.