You must make an appointment to register a birth. Find out how to book and what to bring to the register office.
The law says you must register a birth within 42 days.
Book an appointment
If your baby was born in Leeds, you must make an appointment to register the birth.
Leeds Register Office - Merrion House
Our main register office in Merrion House in Leeds city centre has the most appointment slots and is open for bookings from 8:45am to 3:55pm Monday to Friday, with some availability on Saturdays.
Our location:
Leeds Register Office
Merrion House
Merrion Way
Leeds
LS2 8BB
Find us on Google maps External link
Other register offices in Leeds
You can also book at other register offices in Armley, Dewsbury Road, Moor Allerton, Morley, Rothwell, St George’s (Middleton), Seacroft and Yeadon.
These have reduced availability. Dates and times will be provided when you book online.
Please arrive on time for your appointment. If you are late we will not be able to see you and you will have to make a new appointment.
To cancel and rebook your appointment call 0113 222 4408 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, except Wednesdays when we are open from 10am) or use the link in your confirmation email.
Babies born outside of Leeds
If your baby was not born in Leeds, you can give details of the birth in Leeds although we are unable to issue birth certificates to you. The details will be sent to the Register Office in the district where the birth took place. You will need to contact them to order certificates.
Stillbirths and infants who have died
To register a stillbirth or a baby who has died, please call us to make a priority appointment.
Phone
0113 222 4408
(Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, except Wednesdays when we're open from 10am)
Please do not use the online booking form.
You can also find more information on how to
register a stillbirth.
Cost
Registering a birth is free. But you can choose to buy birth certificates and A4 card keepsake wallets.
Pay in advance when you book your appointment or pay when you register the birth.
Birth certificates: £12.50 each
There are two types of birth certificate you can buy:
- the short version which contains the baby's name, sex and date of birth
- the full version which also includes the place of birth, parents' names, jobs and addresses
Both types of certificate cost £12.50 each.
A4 card keepsake wallets: £2.50 each
Birth certificates will be given to you in a plain envelope, but you can buy an A4 card keepsake wallet for them instead. They cost £2.50 each.
Caption: A4 card keepsake wallet front cover, 22cm wide by 30cm tall.
What you will need
You will need to bring:
- proof of identity for each parent, such as passport or driving licence
- pen (blue or black ink) to sign documents
- credit or debit card to buy birth certificates (£12.50 each) if you want to
Other proof of identity we accept
We will accept one of the following:
- photo ID such as passport, driving licence, biometric residence permit, or permanent residence card
- birth certificate along with proof of address, such as utility bill, council tax bill, or bank statement
At your appointment you will also be asked for:
- the baby’s full name, sex, place and date of birth
- the parents full names, place and date of birth
- the mother’s maiden surname (if she has one)
- the parents' addresses and jobs
- the date of the parents’ marriage or civil partnership (if applicable)
What we do with your information
The council has a statutory duty to register births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships and to administer citizenship services on behalf of the Home Office. Your information will only be used to help us with your registration appointment, your ceremony or your application for copy certificates. We will not share this information with anyone else unless we are required to by law. Read more about how we process your personal data in our
privacy policy.
Who can register a birth
The rules about who should come to the appointment depend on your marital status.
Parents are married or in a civil partnership
If the baby's parents are married or in a civil partnership with each other:
- the mother can register the birth alone
- the father or second parent can register the birth alone
- both parents can register the birth together
Parents are not married or in a civil partnership
If the baby's parents are not married or in a civil partnership with each other:
- both parents must register the birth together for both be included on the birth certificate
- the mother can register the birth alone (but the father or second parent will not be included on the birth certificate)
One parent can register the birth on their own, and you can still have both parents included on the birth certificate, if you have a
statutory declaration of acknowledgement of parentage External link.
Single parents
The birth mother of the baby can register the birth by herself.
