Every birth in England and Wales must be registered within 42 days (6 weeks) of the child being born. This applies even if your baby is still in hospital.
If your baby is registered at the register office in the town where the baby was born, you will receive your birth certificate straight away. If you are seen in a registry office in a different town, you will receive the certificate in the post several days later.
Learn more about registering a birth in Dorset or book an appointment online at:
As soon as you have your baby’s birth certificate, you should register your baby with your general practitioner (GP) in case they need medical attention. If your baby is unwell and you haven’t received the birth certificate yet, you may be able to register with your baby’s NHS number – call your GP practice for advice.