Over 2000 births are registered each year at Torbay Register Office.

Certain people have a legal responsibility to register a birth; the most important being

1. the mother of the child.
2. the father of the child where the parents were married to each other at the time of the birth or conception.

The Registrar of Births must be satisfied that the birth is one that s/he may register and to establish this must be sure that a number of criteria are met.

• The baby was born in the district covered by the Register Office.
• The person wishing to register the birth is qualified to do so.
• Whether the baby was born alive or still-born.
• Whether the child’s parents were married to each other at the time of the birth.

The Registrar can take information about a birth that occurred outside their district, this is called a Declaration of Birth.  The information is passed to the Registrar for the district where the birth took place, and all relevent paperwork is then sent to the informants.

The Registrar of Births will need to ask certain questions, the Information that is recorded in a birth entry is laid down in statute, and is required to be given, in person, within 42 days of the birth.  You will be asked:

• Baby - The date and place of birth.  If the birth is one of twins, triplets etc., if so the time of each childs birth,  Whether the baby is a boy or a girl.  The forenames and surname that have been chosen.
• Father - (Where these details are to be entered on the registration) Fornames and surname.  Date and place of birth.  Occupation.
• Mother - Fornames and surname.  Date and place of birth.  Occupation.  Address.  Date of marriage (if applicable).

Certificates
When the birth has been registered the Registrar will issue you with a short birth certificate (this is free of charge) and form FP58.  You will need to give form FP58 to your doctor.  You can also buy a full birth certificate for £3.50.    As from the 1st May 2004 you will be required to provide a full birth certificate when applying for a passport.  Due to demand we are now able to offer a Commemorative Certificate of your child's birth for £5.00 (inc VAT).  Please note that a commemorative certificate is not to be used for legal or statutory purposes.

If you have any queries on registering a birth or wish to book an appointment please contact us.