Re-register a birth

You can apply to re-register a birth if the father is not listed on your child's birth certificate or if the child's natural parents get married or form a civil partnership after the birth.

How to re-register

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

Download the LA1 form and guidance from GOV.UK.

When you have completed the LA1 form, send it to Liverpool Register office with the following evidence - supporting documents must be originals, which we will return to you once the re-registration has been processed:

• certified copy of your child's full birth certificate
• your marriage or civil partnership certificate
• any documents asked for in section 5 of the LA1 application, and
• if the child or a parent is deceased, the death certificate, if available.

Re-register a birth and add the natural father's details

Download the GRO 185 form and guidance from GOV.UK

When you have completed the GRO 185 form, send it to Liverpool Register office with the following evidence - supporting documents must be originals, which we will return to you once the re-registration has been processed:

• certified copy of your child's full birth certificate.

Where to send applications

When you have completed the application forms and gathered your supporting documents, you can post them to:

Liverpool Register Office
Visitor Entrance
St George's Hall
St George's Place
Liverpool
L1 1JJ

Or you can hand them in at our reception desk in St George's Hall.

How much will it cost?

The re-registration process is free of charge.

New birth certificates at the time of the re-registration are £11 each.

Can I change my child's name when I re-register?

You cannot change the forenames of the child when you re-register. The surname can be changed providing the new surname is the same as one of the parents or a combination of the parents surnames. You do not have to change the child's surname if you do not want to.

How can I change my child's forename?

A child's forename can only be changed on the birth certificate if the child:

• has been baptised with the new forenames within one year of the date of registration.
• has not been baptised - the new forenames must have been used within one year of the registration. You may be asked to provide evidence of the name being used.

The cost is £40 plus £11 for a new birth certificate. Please contact us for more information.