Birth registration

If your baby was born in the borough of Brent, whether at home or in hospital, you must register the birth with the council's Registration and Nationality Service.

Birth registration should be completed within 42 days (or six weeks) of the birth and appointments must be booked in advance. 

Who needs to be present at the registration 

If the couple were married at the time of the birth, then either the mother or father can register the baby. If you were not married, the mother must register the baby.  

If the father's details are to be added, he will need to come along to the registration. To enter the father's name after the birth has been registered, the mother must complete a GRO 185 form. 

• Registering births in Brent after marriage
• Registering births outside the borough of Brent

Birth certificates 

After the registration you will receive a free, short birth certificate. A copy of the full birth certificate is available for a charge. Copies requested at a later date can cost more.

• Order a copy of a birth certificate

Baby naming ceremonies

Parents wanting to celebrate the arrival of their child in a non-religious way can use our baby naming ceremony. 

The occasion gives parents the chance to make promises about how their child will be brought up and have this witnessed by friends and family. Contact the Registration and Nationality Service for more information.

Change of name

If we are unable to change the name on your child's birth certificate, you can change the name through a deed poll.