Births and Deaths Registration Act 1953

1953 CHAPTER 20 1 and 2 Eliz 2

An Act to consolidate certain enactments relating to the registration of births and deaths in England and Wales with corrections and improvements made under the Consolidation of Enactments (Procedure) Act 1949.

[14th July 1953]

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Power to amend Act conferred by Public Expenditure and Receipts Act 1968 (c. 14), s. 5, Sch. 3; power to extend Act conferred by British Nationality Act 1981 (c. 61, SIF 87), s. 41(4)(5)

C2 Act extended (30.12.2005) by Adoption and Children Act 2002 (c. 38), ss. 78(4), 148(1) (with Sch. 4 paras. 1, 6-8); S.I. 2005/2213, art. 2(e)

Commencement Information

I1 Act wholly in force at 30.9.1953 see s. 44(3)

Part I E+W Registration of Births

1 Particulars of births to be registered. E+W

(1) Subject to the provisions of this Part of this Act, the birth of every child born in England and Wales shall be registered by the registrar of births and deaths for the sub–district in which the child was born by entering in a register kept for that sub–district such particulars concerning the birth as may be prescribed; and different registers shall be kept and different particulars may be prescribed for live–births and still–births respectively:

Provided that, where a [F1 still–born child] is found exposed and no information as to the place of birth is available, the birth shall be registered by the registrar of births and deaths for the sub–district in which the child is found.

(2) The following persons shall be qualified to give information concerning a birth, that is to say—

(a) the father and mother of the child;

(b) the occupier of the house in which the child was to the knowledge of that occupier born;

(c) any person present at the birth;

(d) any person having charge of the child.

[F2 (e) in the case of a still–born child found exposed, the person who found the child.]

[F3 (3) In the case of a child who has a parent by virtue of section 42 or 43 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008, the reference in subsection (2)(a) to the father of the child is to be read as a reference to the woman who is a parent by virtue of that section.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Words substituted by Children Act 1975 (c. 72), Sch. 3 para 13(1)

F2 S. 1(2)(e) added by Children Act 1975 (c. 72), Sch. 3 para. 13(2)

F3 S. 1(3) inserted (6.4.2009 for specified purposes, 1.9.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (c. 22), s. 68(2), Sch. 6 para. 2; S.I. 2009/479, art. 6(1)(e)(2) (with art. 7, Sch.)

2 Information concerning birth to be given to registrar within forty–two days. E+W

[F4 (1)] In the case of every birth it shall be the duty—

(a) of the father and mother of the child; and

(b) in the case of the death or inability of the father and mother, of each other qualified informant,

to give to the registrar, before the expiration of a period of forty–two days from the date of the birth, information of the particulars required to be registered concerning the birth, and in the presence of the registrar to sign the register:

Provided that—

(i)

the giving of information and the signing of the register by any one qualified informant shall act as a discharge of any duty under this section of every other qualified informant;

(ii)

this section shall cease to apply if, before the expiration of the said period and before the birth has been registered, [F5 an investigation is conducted under Part 1 of the 2009 Act, other than one that is discontinued under section 4 of that Act (cause of death [F6 becoming clear before inquest]), in the course of which] the child is found to have been still–born.

[F7 (2) In the case of a child who has a parent by virtue of section 42 or 43 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008, the references in subsection (1) to the father of the child are to be read as references to the woman who is a parent by virtue of that section.]

Textual Amendments

F4 S. 2(1): s. 2 renumbered as s. 2(1) (6.4.2009 for specified purposes, 1.9.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (c. 22), s. 68(2), Sch. 6 para. 3; S.I. 2009/479, art. 6(1)(e)(2) (with art. 7, Sch.)

F5 Words in s. 2 substituted (25.7.2013) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), s. 182(4)(e), Sch. 21 para. 7 (with s. 180); S.I. 2013/1869, art. 2(o)(i)

F6 Words in s. 2(1) substituted (28.6.2022) by Judicial Review and Courts Act 2022 (c. 35), ss. 39(4)(a), 51(3)

F7 S. 2(2) inserted (6.4.2009 for specified purposes, 1.9.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (c. 22), s. 68(2), Sch. 6 para. 3; S.I. 2009/479, art. 6(1)(e)(2) (with art. 7, Sch.)

3 Information concerning finding of new–born child to be given to registrar within forty–two days. E+W

Where any [F8 still–born child] is found exposed, it shall be the duty of the person finding the child, . . . F9 to give to the best of his knowledge and belief to the registrar, before the expiration of forty–two days from the date on which the child was found, such information of the particulars required to be registered concerning the birth of the child as the informant possesses, and in the presence of the registrar to sign the register:

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F10

Textual Amendments

F8 Words substituted by Children Act 1975 (c. 72), Sch. 3 para 13(1)

F9 Words repealed by Children Act 1975 (c. 72), Sch. 4 Pt. VI

F10 S. 3 proviso repealed by Children Act 1975 (c. 72), Sch. 4 Pt. VI

[F11 3A Registration of births of abandoned children. E+W

(1) Where the place and date of birth of a child who was abandoned are unknown to, and cannot be ascertained by, the person who has charge of the child, that person may apply to the Registrar General for the child’s birth to be registered under this section.

(2) On an application under this section the Registrar General shall enter in a register maintained at the General Register Office—

(a) as the child’s place of birth, if the child was found by the applicant or by any person from whom (directly or indirectly) the applicant took charge of the child, the registration district and sub–district where the child was found, or, in any other case, where the child was abandoned;

(b) as the child’s date of birth, the date which, having regard to such evidence as is produced to him, appears to him to be the most likely date of birth of the child, and

(c) such other particulars as may be prescribed.

(3) The Registrar General shall not register a child’s birth under this section if—

(a) he is satisfied that the child was not born in England or Wales; or

(b) the child has been adopted in pursuance of a court order made in the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands; or

(c) subject to subsection (5) below, the child’s birth is known to have been previously registered under this Act.

(4) If no entry can be traced in any register of births relating to a person who has attained the age of 18 and has not been adopted as aforesaid, that person may apply to the Registrar General for his birth to be registered under this section.

(5) On the application of—

(a) a person having the charge of a child whose birth had been registered under this Act by virtue of the proviso to section 1 of this Act (as originally enacted), or

(b) any such child who has attained the age of 18 years,

the Registrar General shall re–register the birth of the child under this section, and shall direct the officer having custody of the register of births in which the entry relating to the child was previously made to enter in the margin of the register a reference to the re–registration of the birth.]

Textual Amendments

F11 S. 3A inserted by Children Act 1975 (c. 72), s. 92

4 Registrar’s power to require information concerning birth. E+W

Where, after the expiration of forty–two days from the date of the birth of any child or from the date when any [F12 still–born child] is found exposed, the birth of the child has, owing to the default of the persons required to give information concerning it, not been registered, the registrar may by notice in writing require any qualified informant—

(a) to attend personally at the registrar’s office, or at some other place appointed by the registrar within his sub–district, before such date (being not less than seven days after the receipt of the notice nor more than [F13 12 months] after the date of the birth or finding) as may be specified in the notice; and

(b) to give information to the best of that person’s knowledge and belief of the particulars required to be registered concerning the birth; and

(c) to sign the register in the presence of the registrar:

Provided that any such requirement shall cease to have effect if, before the date specified in the notice and before the person to whom the notice is given complies with it, the birth is duly registered.

Textual Amendments

F12 Words substituted by Children Act 1975 (c. 72), Sch. 3 para 13(1)

F13 Words in s. 4(a) substituted (28.5.2012) by Welfare Reform Act 2009 (c. 24), s. 61(3), Sch. 6 para. 5; S.I. 2012/1256, art. 2(2)(b)

5 Registration of births free of charge. E+W

Where the registrar receives personally from any qualified informant, at any time before the expiration of [F14 12 months] from the date of the birth of any child or from the date when any [F15 still–born child] is found exposed, information of the particulars required to be registered concerning the birth of the child, then, subject as may be prescribed in the case of an alleged still–birth where no certificate such as is mentioned in subsection (1) of section eleven of this Act is delivered, he shall forthwith register the birth and the particulars, if not previously registered, in the prescribed form and manner without any fee or reward from the informant:

F16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F14 Words in s. 5 substituted (28.5.2012) by Welfare Reform Act 2009 (c. 24), s. 61(3), Sch. 6 para. 6; S.I. 2012/1256, art. 2(2)(b)

F15 Words substituted by Children Act 1975 (c. 72), Sch. 3 para 13(1)

F16 S. 5 proviso repealed by S.I. 1968/1242, Sch. 2

F17 6 Registration between three and twelve months from date of birth. E+W

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F17 S. 6 repealed (28.5.2012) by Welfare Reform Act 2009 (c. 24), s. 61(3), Sch. 6 para. 7, Sch. 7 Pt. 5; S.I. 2012/1256, art. 2(2)(b)

7 Registration after twelve months from date of birth. E+W

(1) Where, after the expiration of twelve months from the date of the birth of any child F18 . . . the birth of the child has not been registered, the birth shall not be registered except with the written authority of the Registrar General and in such manner and subject to such conditions as may be prescribed, and the fact that the authority of the Registrar General has been obtained shall be entered in the register.

F19 (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F20 (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F18 Words repealed by Children Act 1975 (c. 72), Sch. 4 Pt. VI

F19 Ss. 6(3), 7(2), 14(3), 21(2) repealed by S.I. 1968/1242, Sch. 2

F20 S. 7(3) repealed (28.5.2012) by Welfare Reform Act 2009 (c. 24), s. 61(3), Sch. 6 para. 8, Sch. 7 Pt. 5; S.I. 2012/1256, art. 2(2)(b)

8 Penalty for improper registration after [F21 12 months] from date of birth. E+W

Save as provided in [F22 section 7], a registrar shall not register the birth of any child after the expiration of [F21 12 months] from the date of birth F23 . . . , from the date of the finding, and any person who registers any birth, or causes any birth to be registered, in contravention of this section shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding [F24 level 1 on the standard scale].

Textual Amendments

F21 Words in s. 8 substituted (28.5.2012) by Welfare Reform Act 2009 (c. 24), s. 61(3), Sch. 6 para. 9(b); S.I. 2012/1256, art. 2(2)(b)

F22 Words in s. 8 substituted (28.5.2012) by Welfare Reform Act 2009 (c. 24), s. 61(3), Sch. 6 para. 9(a); S.I. 2012/1256, art. 2(2)(b)

F23 Words repealed by Children Act 1975 (c. 72), Sch. 4 Pt. VI

F24 Words substituted by virtue of Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), s. 46

9 Giving of information to a person other than the registrar. E+W

(1) Any person required by or under this Act to give information to the registrar concerning a birth F25 . . . may give that information by making and signing in the presence of and delivering to such officer as may be prescribed a declaration in writing of the particulars required to be registered concerning the birth.

(2) The officer in whose presence such a declaration is made shall send the declaration to the registrar who shall in the prescribed manner enter the birth in the register.

(3) An entry made under the last foregoing subsection shall be deemed for the purposes of this Act to have been signed by the person who signed the declaration, and a person making a declaration under this section shall be deemed to have given information concerning the birth to the registrar and to have complied with any requirement of the registrar made under this Act to attend and give that information.

[F26 (4) A request made under section 10 of this Act may be included in a declaration under subsection (1) of this section, and, if the request is made under paragraph [F27 (b), (c) or (d)] of that section, [F28 or under paragraph (b), (c) or (d) of subsection (1B) of that section,] the documents required by that paragraph to be produced shall be produced to the officer in whose presence the declaration is made and sent by him with the declaration to the registrar.

[F29 (4A) A request made under section 10ZA of this Act may be included in a declaration under subsection (1) of this section and the documents required by that section to be produced shall be produced to the officer in whose presence the declaration is made and sent by him with the declaration to the registrar.]

(5) A request made under section 10A of this Act instead of being made to the registrar may be made by making and signing in the presence of and delivering to a prescribed officer a statement in the prescribed form and producing to the officer any documents required to be produced by that section, and—

(a) the officer shall send the request together with those documents, if any, to the registrar who shall with the authority of the Registrar General re–register the birth as if the request had been made to him; and

(b) the person or persons who sign the statement shall be deemed to have signed the register as required by subsection (2) of that section.]

Textual Amendments

F25 Words in s. 9(1) repealed (1.4.1997) by S.I. 1996/2395, art. 2(2)

F26 S. 9(4)(5) added by Children Act 1975 (c. 72), s. 93(3)

F27 Words substituted by Family Law Reform Act 1987 (c. 42, SIF 49:7), s. 33(1), Sch. 2 para. 15

F28 Words in s. 9(4) inserted (6.4.2009 for specified purposes, 1.9.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (c. 22), s. 68(2), Sch. 6 para. 4; S.I. 2009/479, art. 6(1)(e)(2) (with art. 7, Sch.)

F29 S. 9(4A) inserted (1.12.2003) by Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Deceased Fathers) Act 2003 (c. 24), s. 4(2), Sch. para. 1; S.I. 2003/3095, art. 2

[F30 10 [F31 Registration of father F32 ... or of second female parent where parents not [F33 married or] civil partners] E+W

(1) Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing provisions of this Act [F34 and subject to section 10ZA of this Act], in the case of a child whose father and mother were not married to [F35 , or civil partners of,] each other at the time of his birth, no person shall as father of the child be required to give information concerning the birth of the child, and the registrar shall not enter in the register the name of any person as father of the child except—

(a) at the joint request of the mother and the person stating himself to be the father of the child (in which case that person shall sign the register together with the mother); or

(b) at the request of the mother on production of—

(i) a declaration in the prescribed form made by the mother stating that that person is the father of the child; and

(ii) a statutory declaration made by that person stating himself to be the father of the child; or

(c) at the request of that person on production of—

(i) a declaration in the prescribed form by that person stating himself to be the father of the child; and

(ii) a statutory declaration made by the mother stating that that person is the father of the child; or

[F36 (d) at the request of the mother or that person on production of—

(i) a copy of [F37 any agreement made between them under section 4(1)(b) of the Children Act 1989 in relation to the child] ; and

(ii) a declaration in the prescribed form by the person making the request stating that the agreement was made in compliance with section 4 of [F38 that Act] and has not been brought to an end by an order of a court; or

(e) at the request of the mother or that person on production of—

(i) a certified copy of an order under section 4 of the Children Act 1989 giving that person parental responsibility for the child; and

(ii) a declaration in the prescribed form by the person making the request stating that the order has not been brought to an end by an order of a court; or

(f) at the request of the mother or that person on production of—

(i) a certified copy of an order under paragraph 1 of Schedule 1 to the Children Act 1989 which requires that person to make any financial provision for the child and which is not an order falling within paragraph 4(3) of that Schedule; and

(ii) a declaration in the prescribed form by the person making the request stating that the order has not been discharged by an order of a court; or

(g) at the request of the mother or that person on production of—

(i) a certified copy of any of the orders which are mentioned in subsection (1A) of this section which has been made in relation to the child; and

(ii) a declaration in the prescribed form by the person making the request stating that the order has not been brought to an end or discharged by an order of a court.]

[F39 (1A) The orders are—

(a) an order under section 4 of the Family Law Reform Act 1987 that that person shall have all the parental rights and duties with respect to the child;

(b) an order that that person shall have custody or care and control or legal custody of the child made under section 9 of the Guardianship of Minors Act 1971 at a time when such an order could only be made in favour of a parent;

(c) an order under section 9 or 11B of that Act which requires that person to make any financial provision in relation to the child;

(d) an order under section 4 of the Affiliation Proceedings Act 1957 naming that person as putative father of the child.]

[F40 (1B) Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing provisions of this Act and subject to section 10ZA of this Act, in the case of a child to whom section 1(3) of the Family Law Reform Act 1987 does not apply no woman shall as a parent of the child by virtue of section 43 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 be required to give information concerning the birth of the child, and the registrar shall not enter in the register the name of any woman as a parent of the child by virtue of that section except—

(a) at the joint request of the mother and the person stating herself to be the other parent of the child (in which case that person shall sign the register together with the mother); or

(b) at the request of the mother on production of—

(i) a declaration in the prescribed form made by the mother stating that the person to be registered (“the woman concerned”) is a parent of the child by virtue of section 43 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008; and

(ii) a statutory declaration made by the woman concerned stating herself to be a parent of the child by virtue of section 43 of that Act; or

(c) at the request of the woman concerned on production of—

(i) a declaration in the prescribed form made by the woman concerned stating herself to be a parent of the child by virtue of section 43 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008; and

(ii) a statutory declaration made by the mother stating that the woman concerned is a parent of the child by virtue of section 43 of that Act; or

(d) at the request of the mother or the woman concerned on production of—

(i) a copy of any agreement made between them under section 4ZA(1)(b) of the Children Act 1989 in relation to the child; and

(ii) a declaration in the prescribed form by the person making the request stating that the agreement was made in compliance with section 4ZA of that Act and has not been brought to an end by an order of a court; or

(e) at the request of the mother or the woman concerned on production of—

(i) a certified copy of an order under section 4ZA of the Children Act 1989 giving the woman concerned parental responsibility for the child; and

(ii) a declaration in the prescribed form by the person making the request stating that the order has not been brought to an end by an order of a court; or

(f) at the request of the mother or the woman concerned on production of—

(i) a certified copy of an order under paragraph 1 of Schedule 1 to the Children Act 1989 which requires the woman concerned to make any financial provision for the child and which is not an order falling within paragraph 4(3) of that Schedule; and

(ii) a declaration in the prescribed form by the person making the request stating that the order has not been discharged by an order of a court.]

(2) Where, in the case of a child whose father and mother were not married to [F41 , or civil partners of,] each other at the time of his birth, a person stating himself to be the father of the child makes a request to the registrar in accordance with paragraph (c) [F42 to (g)] of subsection (1) of this section—

(a) he shall be treated as a qualified informant concerning the birth of the child for the purposes of this Act; and

(b) the giving of information concerning the birth of the child by that person and the signing of the register by him in the presence of the registrar shall act as a discharge of any duty of any other qualified informant under section 2 of this Act.

[F43 (2A) Where, in the case of a child to whom section 1(3) of the Family Law Reform Act 1987 does not apply, a person stating herself to be a parent of the child by virtue of section 43 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 makes a request to the registrar in accordance with any of paragraphs (c) to (f) of subsection (1B)—

(a) she shall be treated as a qualified informant concerning the birth of the child for the purposes of this Act; and

(b) the giving of information concerning the birth of the child by that person and the signing of the register by her in the presence of the registrar shall act as a discharge of any duty of any other qualified informant under section 2 of this Act.]

(3) In this section and section 10A of this Act references to a child whose father and mother were not married to [F44 , or civil partners of,] each other at the time of his birth shall be construed in accordance with section 1 of the Family Law Reform Act 1987 F45 ....]

Textual Amendments

F30 S. 10 substituted by Family Law Reform Act 1987 (c. 42, SIF 49:7), s. 24

F31 S. 10 heading substituted (6.4.2009 for specified purposes, 1.9.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (c. 22), s. 68(2), Sch. 6 para. 5(2); S.I. 2009/479, art. 6(1)(e)(2) (with art. 7, Sch.)

F32 Words in s. 10 heading omitted (2.12.2019) by virtue of The Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex Couples) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1458), regs. 1(2), 17(2)(a)

F33 Words in s. 10 heading inserted (13.3.2014) by The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 (Consequential and Contrary Provisions and Scotland) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/560), art. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 7

F34 Words in s. 10(1) inserted (1.12.2003) by Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Deceased Fathers) Act 2003 (c. 24), s. 4(2), Sch. para. 2; S.I. 2003/3095, art. 2

F35 Words in s. 10(1) inserted (2.12.2019) by The Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex Couples) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1458), regs. 1(2), 17(2)(b)

F36 S. 10(1)(d)–(g) substituted (14.10.1991) for s. 10(1)(d) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), s. 108(4), Sch. 12 para. 6(2); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

F37 Words in s. 10(1)(d)(i) substituted (1.12.2003) by Adoption and Children Act 2002 (c. 38), s. 148(1), Sch. 3 para. 6(a) (with Sch. 4 paras. 6-8); S.I. 2003/3079, art. 2(2)(b)

F38 Words in s. 10(1)(d)(ii) substituted (1.12.2003) by Adoption and Children Act 2002 (c. 38), s. 148(1), Sch. 3 para. 6(b) (with Sch. 4 paras. 6-8); S.I. 2003/3079, art. 2(2)(b)

F39 S. 10(1A) inserted (14.10.1991) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), s. 108(4), Sch. 12 para. 6(3); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

F40 S. 10(1B) inserted (6.4.2009 for specified purposes, 1.9.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (c. 22), s. 68(2), Sch. 6 para. 5(3); S.I. 2009/479, art. 6(1)(e)(2) (with art. 7, Sch.)

F41 Words in s. 10(2) inserted (2.12.2019) by The Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex Couples) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1458), regs. 1(2), 17(2)(c)

F42 Words in s. 10(2) substituted (14.10.1991) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), s. 108(4), Sch. 12 para. 6(4); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

F43 S. 10(2A) inserted (6.4.2009 for specified purposes, 1.9.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (c. 22), s. 68(2), Sch. 6 para. 5(4); S.I. 2009/479, art. 6(1)(e)(2) (with art. 7, Sch.)

F44 Words in s. 10(3) inserted (2.12.2019) by The Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex Couples) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1458), regs. 1(2), 17(2)(d)

F45 Words in s. 10(3) repealed (1.12.2003) by Adoption and Children Act 2002 (c. 38), s. 148(1), Sch. 3 para. 6(c), Sch. 5 (with Sch. 4 paras. 2, 6-8); S.I. 2003/3079, art. 2(2)(b)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C3 S. 10 modified by Family Law Reform Act 1987 (c. 42, SIF 49:7), s. 33(2),Sch. 3 para. 11

[F46 10ZA Registration of father or second female parent by virtue of certain provisions of Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 E+W

(1) Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing provisions of this Act, the registrar shall not enter in the register—

(a) as the father of a child, the name of a man who is to be treated for that purpose as the father of the child by virtue of section 39(1) or 40(1) or (2) of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (circumstances in which man to be treated as father of child for purposes of registration of birth where fertility treatment undertaken after his death); or

(b) as a parent of the child, the name of a woman who is to be treated for that purpose as a parent of the child by virtue of section 46(1) or (2) of that Act (circumstances in which woman to be treated as parent of child for purposes of registration of birth where fertility treatment undertaken after her death),

unless the condition in subsection (2) below is satisfied.

(2) The condition in this subsection is satisfied if—

(a) the mother requests the registrar to make such an entry in the register and produces the relevant documents; or

(b) in the case of the death or inability of the mother, the relevant documents are produced by some other person who is a qualified informant.

(3) In this section “the relevant documents” means—

(a) the consent in writing and election mentioned in section 39(1), 40(1) or (2) or 46(1) or (2) (as the case requires) of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008;

(b) a certificate of a registered medical practitioner as to the medical facts concerned; and

(c) such other documentary evidence (if any) as the registrar considers appropriate.]

Textual Amendments

F46 S. 10ZA substituted (6.4.2009 for specified purposes, 1.9.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (c. 22), s. 68(2), Sch. 6 para. 6; S.I. 2009/479, art. 6(1)(e)(2) (with art. 7, Sch.)

[F47 10A [F48 Re-registration where parents neither married nor civil partners] E+W

(1) Where there has been registered under this Act the birth of a child whose father and mother were not married to [F49 , or civil partners of,] each other at the time of the birth, but no person has been registered as the father of the child [F50 (or as a parent of the child by virtue of section 42, 43 or 46(1) or (2) of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008)], the registrar shall re–register the birth so as to show a person as the father—

(a) at the joint request of the mother and that person; or

(b) at the request of the mother on production of—

(i) a declaration in the prescribed form made by the mother stating that that person is the father of the child; and

(ii) a statutory declaration made by that person stating himself to be the father of the child; or

(c) at the request of that person on production of—

(i) a declaration in the prescribed form by that person stating himself to be the father of the child; and

(ii) a statutory declaration made by the mother stating that that person is the father of the child; or

[F51 (d) at the request of the mother or that person on production of—

(i) a copy of [F52 any agreement made between them under section 4(1)(b) of the Children Act 1989 in relation to the child]; and

(ii) a declaration in the prescribed form by the person making the request stating that the agreement was made in compliance with section 4 of [F53 that Act] and has not been brought to an end by an order of a court; or

(e) at the request of the mother or that person on production of—

(i) a certified copy of an order under section 4 of the Children Act 1989 giving that person parental responsibility for the child; and

(ii) a declaration in the prescribed form by the person making the request stating that the order has not been brought to an end by an order of a court; or

(f) at the request of the mother or that person on production of—

(i) a certified copy of an order under paragraph 1 of Schedule 1 to the Children Act 1989 which requires that person to make any financial provision for the child and which is not an order falling within paragraph 4(3) of that Schedule; and

(ii) a declaration in the prescribed form by the person making the request stating that the order has not been discharged by an order of a court; or

[F54 (ff) in the case of a man who is to be treated as the father of the child by virtue of section 39(1) or 40(1) or (2) of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008, if the condition in section 10ZA(2) of this Act is satisfied; or]

(g) at the request of the mother or that person on production of—

(i) a certified copy of any of the orders which are mentioned in subsection (1A) of this section which has been made in relation to the child; and

(ii) a declaration in the prescribed form by the person making the request stating that the order has not been brought to an end or discharged by an order of a court.]

but no birth shall be re–registered under this section except in the prescribed manner and with the authority of the Registrar General.

[F55 (1A) The orders are—

(a) an order under section 4 of the Family Law Reform Act 1987 that that person shall have all the parental rights and duties with respect to the child;

(b) an order that that person shall have custody or care and control or legal custody of the child made under section 9 of the Guardianship of Minors Act 1971 at a time when such an order could only be made in favour of a parent;

(c) an order under section 9 or 11B of that Act which requires that person to make any financial provision in relation to the child;

(d) an order under section 4 of the Affiliation Proceedings Act 1957 naming that person as putative father of the child.]

[F56 (1B) Where there has been registered under this Act the birth of a child to whom section 1(3) of the Family Law Reform Act 1987 does not apply, but no person has been registered as a parent of the child by virtue of section 42, 43 or 46(1) or (2) of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (or as the father of the child), the registrar shall re-register the birth so as to show a woman (“the woman concerned”) as a parent of the child by virtue of section 43 or 46(1) or (2) of that Act—

(a) at the joint request of the mother and the woman concerned; or

(b) at the request of the mother on production of—

(i) a declaration in the prescribed form made by the mother stating that the woman concerned is a parent of the child by virtue of section 43 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008; and

(ii) a statutory declaration made by the woman concerned stating herself to be a parent of the child by virtue of section 43 of that Act; or

(c) at the request of the woman concerned on production of—

(i) a declaration in the prescribed form made by the woman concerned stating herself to be a parent of the child by virtue of section 43 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008; and

(ii) a statutory declaration made by the mother stating that the woman concerned is a parent of the child by virtue of section 43 of that Act; or

(d) at the request of the mother or the woman concerned on production of—

(i) a copy of an agreement made between them under section 4ZA(1)(b) of the Children Act 1989 in relation to the child; and

(ii) a declaration in the prescribed form by the person making the request stating that the agreement was made in compliance with section 4ZA of that Act and has not been brought to an end by an order of a court; or

(e) at the request of the mother or the woman concerned on production of—

(i) a certified copy of an order under section 4ZA of the Children Act 1989 giving the woman concerned parental responsibility for the child; and

(ii) a declaration in the prescribed form by the person making the request stating that the order has not been brought to an end by an order of a court; or

(f) at the request of the mother or the woman concerned on production of—

(i) a certified copy of an order under paragraph 1 of Schedule 1 to the Children Act 1989 which requires the woman concerned to make any financial provision for the child and which is not an order falling within paragraph 4(3) of that Schedule; and

(ii) a declaration in the prescribed form by the person making the request stating that the order has not been discharged by an order of a court; or

(g) in the case of a woman who is to be treated as a parent of the child by virtue of section 46(1) or (2) of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008, if the condition in section 10ZA(2) of this Act is satisfied.]

(2) On the re–registration of a birth under this section—

(a) the registrar shall sign the register;

[F57 (b) in the case of any of the following requests—

(i) a request under subsection (1)(a) or (b) or subsection (1B)(a) or (b);

(ii) a request under subsection (1)(d), (e), (f) or (g) or subsection (1B)(d), (e) or (f) made by the mother of the child,

the mother shall also sign the register;

(bb) in a case within subsection (1)(ff) or (1B)(g), the mother or (as the case may be) the qualified informant shall also sign the register;

(c) in the case of a request made under subsection (1)(a) or (c) or a request made under subsection (1)(d), (e), (f) or (g) by the person requesting to be registered as the father of the child, that person shall also sign the register;

(cc) in the case of a request made under subsection (1B)(a) or (c) or a request made under subsection (1B)(d), (e) or (f) by a woman requesting to be registered as a parent of the child by virtue of section 43 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008, that woman shall also sign the register; F58 ...]

F58 (d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]

Textual Amendments

F47 S. 10A substituted by Family Law Reform Act 1987 (c. 42, SIF 49:7), s. 25

F48 S. 10A heading substituted (6.4.2009 for specified purposes, 1.9.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (c. 22), s. 68(2), Sch. 6 para. 7(2); S.I. 2009/479, art. 6(1)(e)(2) (with art. 7, Sch.)

F49 Words in s. 10A(1) inserted (2.12.2019) by The Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex Couples) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1458), regs. 1(2), 17(3)

F50 Words in s. 10A(1) inserted (6.4.2009 for specified purposes, 1.9.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (c. 22), s. 68(2), Sch. 6 para. 7(3)(a); S.I. 2009/479, art. 6(1)(e)(2) (with art. 7, Sch.)

F51 S. 10A(1)(d)–(g) substituted (14.10.1991) for s. 10A(1)(d) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), s. 108(4), Sch. 12 para. 6(2); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

F52 Words in s. 10A(1)(d)(i) substituted (1.12.2003) by Adoption and Children Act 2002 (c. 38), s. 148(1), Sch. 3 para. 7(a) (with Sch. 4 paras. 6-8); S.I. 2003/3079, art. 2(2)(b)

F53 Words in s. 10A(1)(d)(ii) substituted (1.12.2003) by Adoption and Children Act 2002 (c. 38), s. 148(1), Sch. 3 para. 7(b) (with Sch. 4 paras. 6-8); S.I. 2003/3079, art. 2(2)(b)

F54 S. 10A(1)(ff) substituted (6.4.2009 for specified purposes, 1.9.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (c. 22), s. 68(2), Sch. 6 para. 7(3)(b); S.I. 2009/479, art. 6(1)(e)(2) (with art. 7, Sch.)

F55 S. 10A(1A) inserted (14.10.1991) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), s. 108(4), Sch. 12 para. 6(3); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

F56 S. 10A(1B) inserted (6.4.2009 for specified purposes, 1.9.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (c. 22), s. 68(2), Sch. 6 para. 7(4); S.I. 2009/479, art. 6(1)(e)(2) (with art. 7, Sch.)

F57 Ss. 10A(2)(b)-(cc) substituted for s. 10A(2)(b)(bb)(c) (6.4.2009 for specified purposes, 1.9.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (c. 22), s. 68(2), Sch. 6 para. 7(5); S.I. 2009/479, art. 6(1)(e)(2) (with art. 7, Sch.)

F58 S. 10A(2)(d) and word repealed (28.5.2012) by Welfare Reform Act 2009 (c. 24), s. 61(3), Sch. 6 para. 12(4), Sch. 7 Pt. 5; S.I. 2012/1256, art. 2(2)(b)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C4 S. 10A applied (with modifications) (4.4.2005) by Gender Recognition Act 2004 (c. 7), s. 26, Sch. 3 para. 7(1)(2); S.I. 2005/54, art. 2

11 Special provision as to registration of still–birth. E+W

(1) Any qualified informant giving information to the registrar of the particulars required to be registered concerning a still–birth shall upon giving that information either—

[F59 (a) deliver to the registrar a certificate in the prescribed form signed by a registered medical practitioner who was present at the birth or has examined the body of the child, or, if no registered medical practitioner was so present or has examined the body, by a [F60 registered midwife] who was so present or has examined the body, being a certificate stating that the child was not born alive and, where possible, stating to the best of the knowledge and belief of the person signing it the cause of death and the estimated duration of the pregnancy; or]

(b) make a declaration in the prescribed form to the effect that no registered medical practitioner or [F60 registered midwife] was present at the birth or has examined the body, or that his or her certificate cannot be obtained, and that the child was not born alive.

[F61 (1A) Every registered medical practitioner or [F60 registered midwife] who is present at a still–birth or examines the body of a still–born child shall, at the request of any person who is a qualified informant as to the birth, give to that person a certificate for the purposes of paragraph (a) of the foregoing subsection.]

[F62 (1B) Where information of the particulars required to be registered concerning a still-birth is given by means of a declaration in writing in accordance with section 9(1) of this Act—

(a) subsection (1) of this section shall apply to the person by whom the declaration is made as if the references to the registrar were to the officer in whose presence the declaration is made; and

(b) that officer shall send the certificate delivered, or the declaration made, under that subsection to the registrar.]

(2) The registrar upon registering a still–birth shall, if so required, give either to the informant or to the person who has control over, or who ordinarily effects the disposal of bodies at, the place at which it is intended to dispose of the child’s body a certificate F63 ... in the prescribed form that he has registered the still–birth, but may, on receiving written notice of the still–birth accompanied by such a certificate as is mentioned in paragraph (a) of [F64 subsection (1) of this section], before registering the still–birth give to the person sending the notice a certificate that he has received notice of the still–birth; and any certificate given under this subsection shall be given without fee.

(3) A registrar by whom a certificate has been given under the last foregoing subsection may, upon receiving a satisfactory explanation of any circumstances by reason of which the certificate is not available for the purposes of the enactments relating to the disposal of the bodies of dead persons, issue F65 ... a duplicate thereof either to the person to whom the original certificate was given or to the person effecting the disposal; and any such duplicate certificate shall be in a distinctive form.

Textual Amendments

F59 S. 11(1)(a) substituted by Population (Statistics) Act 1960 (c. 32), s. 2(1)

F60 Words “registered midwife” substituted for words “certified midwife” by Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors Act 1979 (c. 36), s. 24(2), Sch. 7 para. 7

F61 S. 11(1A) inserted by Population (Statistics) Act 1960 (c. 32), s. 2(2)

F62 S. 11(1B) inserted (1.4.1997) by S.I. 1996/2395, art. 2(3)

F63 Words in s. 11(2) omitted (1.12.2021) by virtue of The Births and Deaths Registration (Electronic Communications and Electronic Storage) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1231), arts. 1(2), 3(2)

F64 Words substituted by Population (Statistics) Act 1960 (c. 32), s. 3(3)

F65 Words repealed by S.I. 1968/1242, Sch. 2

12 Certificate of registration of birth. E+W

At the time of registering the birth of any child, the registrar shall, if so required by the informant of the birth . . . F66 give to the informant a certificate under his hand in the prescribed form that he has registered the birth.

Textual Amendments

F66 Words repealed by S.I. 1968/1242, Sch. 2

13 Registration of name of child or of alteration of name. E+W

(1) Where, before the expiration of twelve months from the date of the registration of the birth of any child, the name by which it was registered is altered or, if it was registered without a name, a name is given to the child, the registrar or superintendent registrar having the custody of the register in which the birth was registered, upon delivery to him at any time of a certificate in the prescribed form signed—

(a) if the name was altered or given in baptism, either by the person who performed the rite of baptism or by the person who has the custody of the register, if any, in which the baptism is recorded, or

(b) if a name has not been given to the child in baptism, by the father, mother or guardian of the child or other person procuring the name of the child to be altered or given,

F67 ... shall, without any erasure of the original entry, forthwith enter in the register the name mentioned in the certificate as having been given to the child, F68 ...

[F69 (1ZA) In the case of a child who has a parent by virtue of section 42 or 43 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008, the reference in subsection (1)(b) to the father of the child is to be read as a reference to the woman who is a parent of the child by virtue of that section.]

[F70 (1A) The registrar or superintendent registrar having custody of the register in question shall also—

(a) state upon the certificate mentioned in subsection (1) of this section the fact that the entry so mentioned has been made;

(b) forthwith send the certificate to the Registrar General; and

(c) either—

(i) send with the certificate a certified copy of the entry of the birth with the name added under this section, or

(ii) provide the Registrar General, within seven days beginning with the day on which the entry under this section is made, with the information contained in that entry in an electronic form approved by the Registrar General.]

[F71 (1B) Where a certificate delivered under subsection (1) is in an approved electronic form, the registrar or superintendent registrar may (subject to the terms of any approval given by the Registrar General under section 39(2)) discharge the duty set out in subsection (1A)(a) by incorporating into the certificate (or a copy of it), or associating to the certificate (or a copy of it), an electronic signature and a statement that the entry mentioned in subsection (1) has been made.]

(2) Where the name of a child is altered or given in baptism, the person who performed the rite of baptism or who has the custody of any register in which the baptism is recorded shall issue the certificate required under this section F72 ....

F73 (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4) This section shall not apply in relation to a still–born child.

Textual Amendments

F67 Words repealed by S.I. 1968/1242, Sch. 2

F68 Words in s. 13(1) omitted (13.11.2006) by virtue of The Registration of Births and Deaths (Electronic Communications and Electronic Storage) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/2809), arts. 1(1), 2(2)

F69 S. 13(1ZA) inserted (6.4.2009 for specified purposes, 1.9.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (c. 22), s. 68(2), Sch. 6 para. 8; S.I. 2009/479, art. 6(1)(e)(2) (with art. 7, Sch.)

F70 S. 13(1A) inserted (13.11.2006) by The Registration of Births and Deaths (Electronic Communications and Electronic Storage) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/2809), arts. 1(1), 2(3)

F71 S. 13(1B) inserted (1.12.2021) by The Births and Deaths Registration (Electronic Communications and Electronic Storage) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1231), arts. 1(2), 3(3)

F72 Words in s. 13(2) omitted (12.7.2016) by virtue of Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 15 para. 22; S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(w)

F73 S. 13(3) repealed by Merchant Shipping Act 1970 (c. 36), Sch. 5

14 Re–registration of births of legitimated persons. E+W

(1) Where, in the case of any person whose birth has been registered in England or Wales, evidence is produced to the Registrar General which appears to him to be satisfactory that that person has become a legitimated person F74 ... the Registrar General may authorise at any time the re–registration of that person’s birth, and the re–registration shall be effected in such manner and at such place as may be prescribed:

Provided that, except where—

(a) the name of a person [F75 stating] himself to be the father of the legitimated person [F76 , or herself to be a parent of the legitimated person by virtue of section 43 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008,] has been entered in the register in pursuance of section ten [F77 or 10A] of this Act; or

(b) the paternity of the legitimated person [F78 (or, as the case may be, the parentage of the legitimated person by virtue of section 43 of that Act),] has been established F79 ... by a decree of a court of competent jurisdiction; or

(c) a declaration of the legitimacy of the legitimated person has been made under [F80 section 45 of the M1 Matrimonial Causes Act 1973] [F81 or section 56 of the Family Law Reform Act 1987],

the Registrar General shall not authorise the re–registration unless information with a view to obtaining it is furnished by both parents.

(2) Where the Registrar General believes any person to have become a legitimated person F74 ... on the marriage of his parents [F82 or on their becoming civil partners of each other], and the parents or either of them fail to furnish within a period of three months from the date of the marriage [F83 or of the formation of the civil partnership] such information, if any, as may be necessary to enable the Registrar General to authorise the re–registration of that person’s birth, the Registrar General may at any time after the expiration of the said period require the parents or either of them to give him such information concerning the matter as he may consider necessary, verified in such manner as he may direct, and for that purpose to attend personally either at a registrar’s office or at any other place appointed by him within such time, not being less than seven days after the receipt of the notice, as may be specified in the notice.

F84 (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4) This section shall apply with the prescribed modifications in relation to births at sea of which a return is sent to the Registrar General.

[F85 (5) This section shall apply and be deemed always to have applied in relation to all persons recognised by the law of England and Wales as having been legitimated by the subsequent marriage of their parents whether or not their legitimation or the recognition thereof was effected under any enactment.]

Textual Amendments

F74 Words repealed by Legitimation (Re–registration of Birth) Act 1957 (c. 39), s. 1(2)

F75 Words substituted by Family Law Reform Act 1987 (c. 42, SIF 49:7), s. 33(1), Sch. 2 para. 16(a)

F76 Words in s. 14(1) inserted (6.4.2009 for specified purposes, 1.9.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (c. 22), s. 68(2), Sch. 6 para. 9(2)(a); S.I. 2009/479, art. 6(1)(e)(2) (with art. 7, Sch.)

F77 Words inserted by Children Act 1975 (c. 72), Sch. 3 para. 13(3)

F78 Words in s. 14(1) inserted (6.4.2009 for specified purposes, 1.9.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (c. 22), s. 68(2), Sch. 6 para. 9(2)(b); S.I. 2009/479, art. 6(1)(e)(2) (with art. 7, Sch.)

F79 Words repealed by Family Law Reform Act 1987 (c. 42, SIF 49:7), s. 33(1),Sch. 2 para. 16(b)

F80 Words substituted by virtue of Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 (c. 18), Sch. 1 para. 1(b)

F81 Words added by Family Law Reform Act 1987 (c. 42, SIF 49:7), s. 33(1), Sch. 2 para. 16(c)

F82 Words in s. 14(2) inserted (6.4.2009 for specified purposes, 1.9.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (c. 22), s. 68(2), Sch. 6 para. 9(3)(a); S.I. 2009/479, art. 6(1)(e)(2) (with art. 7, Sch.)

F83 Words in s. 14(2) inserted (6.4.2009 for specified purposes, 1.9.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (c. 22), s. 68(2), Sch. 6 para. 9(3)(b); S.I. 2009/479, art. 6(1)(e)(2) (with art. 7, Sch.)

F84 Ss. 6(3), 7(2), 14(3), 21(2) repealed by S.I. 1968/1242, Sch. 2

F85 S. 14(5) added by Legitimacy Act 1976 (c. 31), Sch. 1 para. 6

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C5 S. 14 extended by Legitimation (Re–registration of Birth) Act 1957 (c. 39), s. 1(1), amended by Adoption Act 1958 (7 & 8 Eliz. 2 c. 5), s. 27 and Adoption Act 1964 (c. 57), s. 3(4): amended by Adoption Act 1968 (c. 53), s. 8(4) and Adoption Act 1976 (c. 36), s. 74(2), Sch. 1

C6 S. 14 applied (with modifications) (4.4.2005) by Gender Recognition Act 2004 (c. 7), s. 26, Sch. 3 para. 7(3); S.I. 2005/54, art. 2

Marginal Citations

M1 1973 c. 18.

[F86 14A Re–registration after declaration of parentage. E+W

(1) Where, in the case of a person whose birth has been registered in England and Wales—

(a) the Registrar General receives, by virtue of section [F87 55A(7) or 56(4)] of the M2 Family Law Act 1986, a notification of the making of a declaration of parentage in respect of that person; and

(b) it appears to him that the birth of that person should be re–registered,

he shall authorise the re–registration of that person’s birth, and the re–registration shall be effected in such manner and at such place as may be prescribed.

(2) This section shall apply with the prescribed modifications in relation to births at sea of which a return is sent to the Registrar General.]

Textual Amendments

F86 S. 14A inserted by Family Law Reform Act 1987 (c. 42, SIF 49:7), s. 26

F87 Words in s. 14A(1)(a) substituted (1.4.2001) by 2000 c. 19, s. 83(5), Sch. 8 para. 1 (with s. 83(6)); S.I. 2001/774, art. 2(c)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C7 S. 14A applied (with modifications) (4.4.2005) by Gender Recognition Act 2004 (c. 7), s. 26, Sch. 3 para. 7(3); S.I. 2005/54, art. 2

Marginal Citations

M2 1986 c.55 (49:7).

Part II E+W Registration of Deaths

15 Particulars of deaths to be registered. E+W

Subject to the provisions of this Part of this Act, the death of every person dying in England or Wales and the cause thereof shall be registered by the registrar of births and deaths for the sub–district in which the death occurred by entering in a register kept for that sub–district such particulars concerning the death as may be prescribed:

Provided that where a dead body is found and no information as to the place of death is available, the death shall be registered by the registrar of births and deaths for the sub–district in which the body is found.

16 Information concerning death in a house. E+W

(1) The following provisions of this section shall have effect where a person dies in a house.

(2) The following persons shall be qualified to give information concerning the death, that is to say—

(a) [F88 any person who is a relative or the partner of the deceased and who was] present at the death or in attendance during his last illness;

(b) [F89 any person who is a relative or the partner of the deceased and who is or resides] in the sub–district where the death occurred;

[F90 (ba) any personal representative of the deceased;]

(c) any person present at the death;

(d) the occupier of the house if he knew of the happening of the death;

(e) any inmate of the house who knew of the happening of the death;

(f) the person causing the disposal of the body.

(3) It shall be the duty—

(a) of [F91 each such person] as is mentioned in paragraph (a) of the last foregoing subsection; or

(b) if there is [F92 no such person], of [F93 each such person] as is mentioned in paragraph (b) of that subsection; or

(c) [F94 if neither of paragraphs (a) and (b) above applies], of each such person as is mentioned in [F95 paragraph (ba), (c) or (d)] of that subsection; or

(d) [F96 if none of paragraphs (a) to (c) above applies], of each such person as is mentioned in paragraph (e) or (f) of that subsection,

to give to the registrar, before the expiration of [F97 five days from the relevant date], information to the best of his knowledge and belief of the particulars required to be registered concerning the death, and in the presence of the registrar to sign the register:

Provided that—

(i)

the giving of information and the signing of the register by any one qualified informant shall act as a discharge of any duty under this subsection of every other qualified informant;

(ii)

[F98 this subsection shall not have effect if an investigation is conducted under Part 1 of the 2009 Act into the death of the deceased person and has not been discontinued under section 4 of that Act (cause of death [F99 becoming clear before inquest]).]

[F100 (4) In this section, the expression “the relevant date” means—

(a) the date on which the registrar is notified in accordance with regulations under section 20(1)(f)(i) or (h)(i) of the 2009 Act (confirmation or certification by medical examiner of cause of death); or

(b) where an investigation under Part 1 of that Act into the death of the deceased person is discontinued under section 4 of that Act, the date of the discontinuance.]

Textual Amendments

F88 Words in s. 16(2)(a) substituted (9.9.2024) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), s. 182(4)(e), Sch. 21 para. 8(2)(a) (with s. 180); S.I. 2024/516, art. 3(a)

F89 Words in s. 16(2)(b) substituted (9.9.2024) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), s. 182(4)(e), Sch. 21 para. 8(2)(b) (with s. 180); S.I. 2024/516, art. 3(a)

F90 S. 16(2)(ba) inserted (9.9.2024) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), s. 182(4)(e), Sch. 21 para. 8(2)(c) (with s. 180); S.I. 2024/516, art. 3(a)

F91 Words in s. 16(3)(a) substituted (9.9.2024) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), s. 182(4)(e), Sch. 21 para. 8(3)(a) (with s. 180); S.I. 2024/516, art. 3(a)

F92 Words in s. 16(3)(b) substituted (9.9.2024) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), s. 182(4)(e), Sch. 21 para. 8(3)(b)(i) (with s. 180); S.I. 2024/516, art. 3(a)

F93 Words in s. 16(3)(b) substituted (9.9.2024) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), s. 182(4)(e), Sch. 21 para. 8(3)(b)(ii) (with s. 180); S.I. 2024/516, art. 3(a)

F94 Words in s. 16(3)(c) substituted (9.9.2024) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), s. 182(4)(e), Sch. 21 para. 8(3)(c)(i) (with s. 180); S.I. 2024/516, art. 3(a)

F95 Words in s. 16(3)(c) substituted (9.9.2024) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), s. 182(4)(e), Sch. 21 para. 8(3)(c)(ii) (with s. 180); S.I. 2024/516, art. 3(a)

F96 Words in s. 16(3)(d) substituted (9.9.2024) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), s. 182(4)(e), Sch. 21 para. 8(3)(d) (with s. 180); S.I. 2024/516, art. 3(a)

F97 Words in s. 16(3) substituted (9.9.2024) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), s. 182(4)(e), Sch. 21 para. 8(3)(e) (with s. 180); S.I. 2024/516, art. 3(a)

F98 Words in s. 16(3) substituted (25.7.2013) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), s. 182(4)(e), Sch. 21 para. 8(4) (with s. 180); S.I. 2013/1869, art. 2(o)(ii)

F99 Words in s. 16(3) substituted (28.6.2022) by Judicial Review and Courts Act 2022 (c. 35), ss. 39(4)(b), 51(3)

F100 S. 16(4) inserted (9.9.2024) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), s. 182(4)(e), Sch. 21 para. 8(5) (with s. 180); S.I. 2024/516, art. 3(a)

17 Information concerning other deaths. E+W

(1) The following provisions of this section shall have effect where a person dies elsewhere than in a house or where a dead body is found and no information as to the place of death is available.

(2) The following persons shall be qualified to give information concerning the death, that is to say—

(a) [F101 any person who is a relative or the partner of the deceased and who] has knowledge of any of the particulars required to be registered concerning the death;

[F102 (aa) any personal representative of the deceased;]

(b) any person present at the death;

(c) any person finding or taking charge of the body;

(d) any person causing the disposal of the body.

(3) It shall be the duty—

(a) of each such [F103 person] as is mentioned in paragraph (a) of the last foregoing subsection; or

(b) if there are no such [F104 persons], of each other qualified informant,

to give to the registrar, before the expiration of [F105 five days from the relevant date], such information of the particulars required to be registered concerning the death as the informant possesses, and in the presence of the registrar to sign the register:

Provided that—

(i)

the giving of information and the signing of the register by any one qualified informant shall act as a discharge of any duty under this subsection of every other qualified informant:

(ii)

[F106 this subsection shall not have effect if an investigation is conducted under Part 1 of the 2009 Act into the death of the deceased person and has not been discontinued under section 4 of that Act (cause of death [F107 becoming clear before inquest]).]

[F108 (4) In this section, the expression “the relevant date” means—

(a) the date on which the registrar is notified in accordance with regulations under section 20(1)(f)(i) or (h)(i) of the 2009 Act (confirmation or certification by medical examiner of cause of death); or

(b) where an investigation under Part 1 of that Act into the death of the deceased person is discontinued under section 4 of that Act, the date of the discontinuance.]

Textual Amendments

F101 Words in s. 17(2)(a) substituted (9.9.2024) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), s. 182(4)(e), Sch. 21 para. 9(2)(a) (with s. 180); S.I. 2024/516, art. 3(b)

F102 S. 17(2)(aa) inserted (9.9.2024) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), s. 182(4)(e), Sch. 21 para. 9(2)(b) (with s. 180); S.I. 2024/516, art. 3(b)

F103 Word in s. 17(3)(a) substituted (9.9.2024) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), s. 182(4)(e), Sch. 21 para. 9(3)(a) (with s. 180); S.I. 2024/516, art. 3(b)

F104 Word in s. 17(3)(b) substituted (9.9.2024) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), s. 182(4)(e), Sch. 21 para. 9(3)(b) (with s. 180); S.I. 2024/516, art. 3(b)

F105 Words in s. 17(3) substituted (9.9.2024) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), s. 182(4)(e), Sch. 21 para. 9(3)(c) (with s. 180); S.I. 2024/516, art. 3(b)

F106 Words in s. 17(3) substituted (25.7.2013) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), s. 182(4)(e), Sch. 21 para. 9(3)(d) (with s. 180); S.I. 2013/1869, art. 2(o)(iii)

F107 Words in s. 17(3) substituted (28.6.2022) by Judicial Review and Courts Act 2022 (c. 35), ss. 39(4)(c), 51(3)

F108 S. 17(4) inserted (9.9.2024) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), s. 182(4)(e), Sch. 21 para. 9(4) (with s. 180); S.I. 2024/516, art. 3(b)

18 Notice preliminary to information of death. E+W

[F109 (1)] [F110 If, before the expiration of five days from the relevant date, a qualified informant of a person's death] sends to the registrar a written notice of the occurrence of the death or of the finding of the body [F111 accompanied by a confirmed attending practitioner's certificate, or a medical examiner's certificate issued in accordance with regulations under section 20 of the 2009 Act (medical certificate of cause of death),] the information of the particulars required to be registered concerning the death need not be given before the expiration of the said five days, but shall, notwithstanding the notice, be given before the expiration of fourteen days [F112 from the relevant date] by the person giving the notice or by some other qualified informant.

[F113 (2) In this section, the expression “the relevant date” means—

(a) the date on which the registrar is notified in accordance with regulations under section 20(1)(f)(i) or (h)(i) of the 2009 Act (confirmation or certification by medical examiner of cause of death); or

(b) where an investigation under Part 1 of that Act into the death of the deceased person is discontinued under section 4 of that Act (cause of death becoming clear before inquest), the date of the discontinuance.]

Textual Amendments

F109 S. 18 renumbered as s. 18(1) (9.9.2024) by virtue of Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), s. 182(4)(e), Sch. 21 para. 10(5) (with s. 180); S.I. 2024/516, art. 3(c)

F110 Words in s. 18 substituted (9.9.2024) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), s. 182(4)(e), Sch. 21 para. 10(2) (with s. 180); S.I. 2024/516, art. 3(c)

F111 Words in s. 18 substituted (9.9.2024) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), s. 182(4)(e), Sch. 21 para. 10(3) (with s. 180); S.I. 2024/516, art. 3(c)

F112 Words in s. 18 substituted (9.9.2024) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), s. 182(4)(e), Sch. 21 para. 10(4) (with s. 180); S.I. 2024/516, art. 3(c)

F113 S. 18(2) inserted (9.9.2024) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), s. 182(4)(e), Sch. 21 para. 10(5) (with s. 180) (as amended by 2022 c. 35, ss. 39(6)(a), 51(3)); S.I. 2024/516, art. 3(c)

19 Registrar’s power to require information concerning death. E+W

[F114 (A1) This section applies where, after the expiration of the relevant period from—

(a) the date on which the registrar is notified in accordance with regulations under section 20(1)(f)(i) or (h)(i) of the 2009 Act (confirmation or certification by medical examiner of cause of death), or

(b) where an investigation under Part 1 of that Act into a person's death is discontinued under section 4 of that Act (cause of death becoming clear before inquest), the date of the discontinuance,

the death of that person has, owing to the default of the persons required to give information concerning it, not been registered.]

(1) [F114 The registrar may] by notice in writing require any qualified informant—

(a) to attend personally at the registrar’s office, or at some other place appointed by the registrar within his sub–district, before such date (being not less than seven days after the receipt of the notice nor more than twelve months from the date of the death or of the finding of the body) as may be specified in the notice; and

(b) to give information to the best of the informant’s knowledge and belief of the particulars required to be registered concerning the death; and

(c) to sign the register in the presence of the registrar:

Provided that any such requirement shall cease to have effect if, before the date specified in the notice and before the person to whom the notice is given complies with it, either—

(i)

the death is duly registered; or

(ii)

[F115 an investigation under Part 1 of the 2009 Act is conducted into the death of the deceased person and has not been discontinued under section 4 of that Act].

(2) In this section, the expression “the relevant period” means—

(a) where notice has been duly given to the registrar in accordance with the last foregoing section, fourteen days;

(b) in any other case, five days.

Textual Amendments

F114 S. 19(A1) and words substituted for words in s. 19(1) (9.9.2024) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), s. 182(4)(e), Sch. 21 para. 11(2) (with s. 180) (as amended by 2022 c. 35, ss. 39(6)(b), 51(3)); S.I. 2024/516, art. 3(d)

F115 Words in s. 19(1) substituted (25.7.2013) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), s. 182(4)(e), Sch. 21 para. 11(3) (with s. 180); S.I. 2013/1869, art. 2(o)(iv)

20 Registration of death free of charge. E+W

Where the registrar receives personally from any qualified informant F116 ... information of the particulars required to be registered concerning that person’s death, then, so soon as he has received any particulars required to be registered concerning the cause of death which are required to be given by any person other than the informant, he shall forthwith register the death and the particulars, if not previously registered, in the prescribed form and manner without any fee or reward from the informant:

F117 . . .

Textual Amendments

F116 Words in s. 20 repealed (16.4.2024 for specified purposes, 9.9.2024 in so far as not already in force) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), s. 182(4)(e), Sch. 21 para. 12, Sch. 23 Pt. 1 (with s. 180); S.I. 2024/516, arts. 2(a), 3(e)

F117 S. 20 proviso repealed by S.I. 1968/1242, Sch. 2

F118 21 Registration of death after twelve months. E+W

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F118 S. 21 repealed (16.4.2024 for specified purposes, 9.9.2024 in so far as not already in force) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), s. 182(4)(e), Sch. 21 para. 13, Sch. 23 Pt. 1 (with s. 180); S.I. 2024/516, arts. 2(b), 3(f)

[F119 22 Registration of cause of death on receipt of medical certificate E+W

(1) This section applies where—

(a) the registrar is given a confirmed attending practitioner's certificate, or a medical examiner's certificate, in accordance with regulations under section 20 of the 2009 Act (medical certificate of cause of death); and

(b) no investigation into the death under Part 1 of that Act is conducted.

(2) The registrar shall enter in the register the cause of death as stated in the certificate, together with—

(a) the name of the medical examiner and such information about the examiner as may be prescribed; and

(b) where an attending practitioner's certificate was prepared, the name of the practitioner by whom it was prepared and such information about that practitioner as may be prescribed.]

Textual Amendments

F119 S. 22 substituted (16.4.2024 for specified purposes, 9.9.2024 in so far as not already in force) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), s. 182(4)(e), Sch. 21 para. 14 (with s. 180); S.I. 2024/516, arts. 2(c), 3(g)

23 Furnishing of information by coroner. E+W

F120 (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F121 (2) Where there has been an investigation under Part 1 of the 2009 Act into a death and the senior coroner sends to the registrar a certificate giving information concerning the death, including the particulars found under section 10(1)(b) of that Act, the registrar shall in the prescribed form and manner register the death and those particulars; and, if the death has been previously registered, those particulars shall be entered in the prescribed manner without any alteration of the original entry.

(2ZA) Where under section 40(8)(a)(i) of the 2009 Act the Chief Coroner amends a finding under section 10(1)(b) of that Act and sends to the registrar a certificate setting out the amended particulars, the registrar shall in the prescribed form and manner register the amended particulars without any alteration of the original entry.]

[F122 (2A) Where—

(a) an investigation under Part 1 of the 2009 Act into a death is suspended under Schedule 1 to that Act, and

(b) the senior coroner sends to the registrar a certificate stating the particulars required by this Act to be registered concerning the death (so far as they have been ascertained at the date of the certificate),

the registrar shall in the prescribed form and manner register the death and those particulars.

(2B) Where—

(a) an investigation under Part 1 of the 2009 Act into a death is suspended under paragraph 2 of Schedule 1 to that Act (suspension where certain criminal proceedings brought), and

(b) the senior coroner sends to the registrar a certificate—

(i) stating the result of the proceedings in respect of the charge or charges by reason of which the investigation was suspended, or of any proceedings that had to be concluded before the investigation could be resumed, or

(ii) setting out any changes or additions to the particulars mentioned in subsection (2A) of this section,

the registrar shall in the prescribed form and manner register the result of those proceedings, or the changes or additions, without any alteration of the original entry.

(2C) Where—

(a) an investigation under Part 1 of the 2009 Act into a death is suspended under paragraph 3 of Schedule 1 to that Act (suspension pending inquiry), and

(b) the senior coroner sends to the registrar a certificate—

(i) stating the findings of the inquiry by reason of which the investigation was suspended,

(ii) stating the result of any proceedings that had to be concluded before the investigation could be resumed, or

(iii) setting out any changes or additions to the particulars mentioned in subsection (2A) of this section,

the registrar shall in the prescribed form and manner register the findings of that inquiry, or the result of those proceedings, or the changes or additions, without any alteration of the original entry.]

(3) [F123 [F124 Where an investigation is discontinued under section 4 of the 2009 Act by reason of an examination under section 14 of that Act (post-mortem examinations) and the senior coroner sends to the registrar a certificate stating] the cause of death as disclosed by the report of the person making the examination,] the registrar shall in the prescribed form and manner make an entry thereof in the register accordingly.

Textual Amendments

F120 S. 23(1) repealed by Coroners Act 1988 (c. 13, SIF 33), s. 36(1)(2), Sch. 3 para. 4(1), Sch. 4

F121 S. 23(2)(2ZA) substituted for s. 23(2) (25.7.2013 for specified purposes) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), s. 182(4)(e), Sch. 21 para. 15(2) (with s. 180); S.I. 2013/1869, art. 2(o)(vi)

F122 S. 23(2A)-(2C) substituted for s. 23(2A) (25.7.2013) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), s. 182(4)(e), Sch. 21 para. 15(3) (with s. 180); S.I. 2013/1869, art. 2(o)(v)

F123 Words substituted by Coroners Act 1988 (c. 13, SIF 33), s. 36(1), Sch. 3 para. 4(4)

F124 Words in s. 23(3) substituted (25.7.2013) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), s. 182(4)(e), Sch. 21 para. 15(4) (with s. 180); S.I. 2013/1869, art. 2(o)(v)

[F125 23A Giving of information concerning a death to a person other than the registrar E+W

(1) Subject to subsection (2) of this section, any person required by or under this Act to give information to the registrar of the particulars required to be registered concerning a death may give that information by making and signing in the presence of and delivering to such officer as may be prescribed a declaration in writing.

(2) A declaration shall not be made under this section unless the officer in whose presence the declaration is to be made has in his possession—

(a) if no post-mortem examination of the deceased person’s body is made by virtue of section 19 of the Coroners Act 1988 M3 , a copy of the certificate delivered to the registrar under subsection (1) of section 22 of this Act; or

(b) if a post-mortem examination of the deceased person’s body is so made, a copy of the certificate delivered to the registrar under subsection (3) of section 23 of this Act;

and the registrar shall, if so requested by the officer in whose presence the declaration is to be made, supply to that officer a copy of the certificate mentioned in paragraph (a) or, as the case may be, paragraph (b) of this subsection.

(3) The officer in whose presence a declaration is made under this section shall send the declaration to the registrar who shall in the prescribed manner enter the death in the register.

(4) An entry made under the last foregoing subsection shall be deemed for the purposes of this Act to have been signed by the person who signed the declaration and a person making a declaration under this section shall be deemed to have given information concerning the death to the registrar and to have complied with any requirement of the registrar made under this Act to attend and give that information.

(5) Where the person by whom a declaration under this section is made is a relative [F126 or the partner] of the deceased person, he shall be deemed, for the purposes of determining his qualification to give the information given by making the declaration, to be in the sub-district where the death occurred.

F127 (6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F125 S. 23A inserted (1.4.1997) by S.I. 1996/2395, art. 3

F126 Words in s. 23A(5) inserted (16.4.2024 for specified purposes, 9.9.2024 in so far as not already in force) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), s. 182(4)(e), Sch. 21 para. 16(3) (with s. 180); S.I. 2024/516, arts. 2(d)(i), 3(h)(i)

F127 S. 23A(6) repealed (16.4.2024 for specified purposes, 9.9.2024 in so far as not already in force) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), s. 182(4)(e), Sch. 21 para. 16(4), Sch. 23 Pt. 1 (with s. 180); S.I. 2024/516, arts. 2(d)(i), 3(h)(i)

Marginal Citations

M3 1988 c.13.

24 Certificates as to registration of death.] E+W

(1) The registrar, upon registering any death, shall forthwith give to the person giving information concerning the death a certificate [F128 in writing] that he has registered the death; but may, before registering the death and subject to such conditions as may be prescribed, upon receiving written notice of the occurrence of a death in respect of which he [F129 has been given a confirmed attending practitioner's certificate or a medical examiner's certificate in accordance with regulations under section 20 of the 2009 Act], give to the person sending the notice, if required to do so, a certificate under his hand that he has received notice of the death; and any certificate given under this subsection shall be given without fee:

Provided that the registrar shall not issue any such certificate in any case in which he is satisfied that a coroner’s order has been issued authorising the disposal of the body.

(2) Where the body of a deceased person has been removed into England or Wales from some place outside both those countries for disposal, and no order has been given by a coroner in respect thereof, the registrar of the sub–district in which it is intended to dispose of the body, if it appears that the death is not required by law to be registered in England or Wales, shall, upon application by the person procuring the disposal F130 . . . give a certificate to that effect in the prescribed form.

(3) A person to whom any certificate issued by the registrar under this section is delivered shall transmit it to the person effecting the disposal of the body of the deceased person.

(4) A registrar by whom a certificate has been given under this section may, upon receiving a satisfactory explanation of any circumstances by reason of which the certificate is not available for the purposes of the enactments relating to the disposal of the bodies of dead persons, issue F130 . . . a duplicate thereof either to the person to whom the original certificate was given or to the person effecting the disposal of the body; and any such duplicate certificate shall be in a distinctive form.

(5) Where, on the expiration of the prescribed period after the issue in respect of any deceased person of a certificate under this section or of a coroner’s order authorising the disposal of the body, no notification as to the date, place and means of disposal of the body has been received by the registrar from the person effecting its disposal, the registrar shall make enquiry of the person to whom the certificate or order was issued and it shall be the duty of that person to give information to the best of his knowledge and belief [F131 as to any person to whom the certificate or order has been given or sent], the place in which the body is lying, or, if the body has been disposed of, the person effecting the disposal.

(6) In this section, the expression “person effecting the disposal” means the person by whom or whose officer the register in which the disposal is to be recorded is kept, except that, in the case of a burial under the M4 Burial Laws Amendment Act 1880, or section four of the M5 Welsh Church (Burial Grounds) Act 1945, in the churchyard or graveyard of a parish or ecclesiastical district, it shall be construed as referring to the relative, friend or legal personal representative having charge of or being responsible for the burial of the deceased person.

Textual Amendments

F125 S. 23A inserted (1.4.1997) by S.I. 1996/2395, art. 3

F128 Words in s. 24(1) substituted (1.12.2021) by The Births and Deaths Registration (Electronic Communications and Electronic Storage) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1231), arts. 1(2), 3(4)(a)

F129 Words in s. 24(1) substituted (16.4.2024 for specified purposes, 9.9.2024 in so far as not already in force) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), s. 182(4)(e), Sch. 21 para. 17 (with s. 180); S.I. 2024/516, arts. 2(e), 3(i)

F130 Words repealed by S.I. 1968/1242, Sch. 2

F131 Words in s. 24(5) substituted (1.12.2021) by The Births and Deaths Registration (Electronic Communications and Electronic Storage) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1231), arts. 1(2), 3(4)(b)

Marginal Citations

M4 1880 c. 41.

M5 1945 c. 27.

Part III E+W General

Registers, certified copies, etc. E+W

25 Provision of registers, etc., by Registrar General. E+W

Registers of live–births, still–births and deaths shall be in such form as may be respectively prescribed, and the Registrar General shall provide any such registers, and any of the forms hereafter mentioned for making certified copies of entries in registers, which may be required for the purposes of this Act.

26 Quarterly returns to be made by registrar to superintendent registrar. E+W

(1) Every registrar shall in the months of January, April, July and October on such days as may be appointed by the Registrar General—

(a) make and deliver to the superintendent registrar in the prescribed form a true copy, certified by him in the prescribed manner, of all the entries of live–births, still–births and deaths made in the registers kept by him during the period of three months ending with the last day of the month immediately preceding that in which the copy is required by this subsection to be made;

(b) if no live–birth, still–birth or death has been registered in his sub–district during that period F132 [F133 ...

(i) deliver to the superintendent registrar [F134 a certificate in the prescribed form to that effect.]

F135 (ii) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(1A) The duty imposed by subsection (1)(a) of this section does not apply, as regards any particular three-month period, to any registrar who provides the relevant information to the superintendent registrar in an approved electronic form within the time allowed.

[F136 (1B)] For [F137 the purposes of subsection (1A)] —

(a) the relevant information is the information contained in each entry mentioned in subsection (1)(a) of this section made during the three-month period in question; and

(b) the time allowed, in relation to each such entry, is the period of seven days beginning with the day on which the entry is made.

(2) Where a certified copy is delivered to the superintendent registrar under [F138 subsection (1) of this section], the superintendent registrar shall verify the copy and, if the copy is found to be correct, shall certify it [F139 in writing] to be a true copy; and where a certificate that there have been no registrations is so delivered, the superintendent registrar shall countersign the certificate.]

[F140 (3) Where the superintendent registrar is provided with any certificate or information in electronic form under subsection (1)(b)(ii) or (1A) of this section he shall if satisfied of its authencity apply an electronic signature to it.

(4) In this section—

• F141 ...

• F141 ...

• “three-month period” means any such period of three months as is mentioned in subsection (1) of this section.]

Textual Amendments

F132 Word in s. 26(1)(b) omitted (1.12.2021) by virtue of The Births and Deaths Registration (Electronic Communications and Electronic Storage) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1231), arts. 1(2), 3(5)(a)(i)

F133 Words in s. 26(1)(b)(1A)(2) substituted for words in s. 26(1)(b) (13.11.2006) by The Registration of Births and Deaths (Electronic Communications and Electronic Storage) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/2809), arts. 1(1), 3(2)

F134 Words in s. 26(1)(b) substituted (1.12.2021) by The Births and Deaths Registration (Electronic Communications and Electronic Storage) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1231), arts. 1(2), 3(5)(a)(ii)

F135 S. 26(1)(b)(ii) omitted (1.12.2021) by virtue of The Births and Deaths Registration (Electronic Communications and Electronic Storage) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1231), arts. 1(2), 3(5)(a)(iii)

F136 S. 26(2) renumbered as s. 26(1B) (16.11.2009) by The Registration of Marriages etc. (Electronic Communications and Electronic Storage) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/2821), arts. 1(1), 15

F137 Words in s. 26(1B) substituted (16.11.2009) by The Registration of Marriages etc. (Electronic Communications and Electronic Storage) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/2821), arts. 1(1), 15

F138 Words in s. 26(2) substituted (13.11.2006) by The Registration of Births and Deaths (Electronic Communications and Electronic Storage) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/2809), arts. 1(1), 3(3)

F139 Words in s. 26(2) substituted (1.12.2021) by The Births and Deaths Registration (Electronic Communications and Electronic Storage) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1231), arts. 1(2), 3(5)(b)

F140 S. 26(3)(4) inserted (13.11.2006) by The Registration of Births and Deaths (Electronic Communications and Electronic Storage) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/2809), arts. 1(1), 3(4)

F141 Words in s. 26(4) omitted (1.12.2021) by virtue of The Births and Deaths Registration (Electronic Communications and Electronic Storage) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1231), arts. 1(2), 3(5)(c)

27 Quarterly returns by superintendent registrar to Registrar General. E+W

[F142 (1)] Every superintendent registrar shall four times in every year, on such days as may be appointed by the Registrar General, [F143 either—

(a) send to the Registrar General all certified copies of entries in registers of live-births, still-births or deaths which he has received during the three months immediately preceding the days so appointed respectively, or

(b) provide the Registrar General with the information contained in those entries in an electronic form approved by the Registrar General;

and if the necessary copies have not been duly delivered to him, or the necessary information has not been duly provided to him,] the superintendent registrar shall procure, as far as is possible consistently with the provisions of this Act, that the deficiency is remedied.

[F144 (2) If the Registrar General receives any copies under subsection (1)(a) of this section, he may store the information contained in those copies in the electronic form approved by him for the purposes of subsection (1)(b) of this section.]

Textual Amendments

F142 S. 27(1): s. 27 renumbered as s. 27(1) (13.11.2006) by The Registration of Births and Deaths (Electronic Communications and Electronic Storage) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/2809), arts. 1(1), 4(2)

F143 Words in s. 27(1) substituted (13.11.2006) by The Registration of Births and Deaths (Electronic Communications and Electronic Storage) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/2809), arts. 1(1), 4(3)

F144 S. 27(2) inserted (13.11.2006) by The Registration of Births and Deaths (Electronic Communications and Electronic Storage) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/2809), arts. 1(1), 4(4)

28 Custody of registers, etc. E+W

(1) Every registrar shall keep safely all registers of live–births, still–births and deaths which are in his custody and, when not in use, the registers shall be kept in the register box provided for the purpose by the Registrar General.

(2) When a register of live–births or a register of deaths is filled, the registrar shall deliver it to the superintendent registrar to be kept by him with the records of his office.

(3) When a register of still–births is filled, the registrar shall deliver it to the superintendent registrar, who shall forward it to the Registrar General.

(4) The certified copies [F145 , or information in electronic form, sent or provided] to the Registrar General under the last foregoing section and the registers forwarded to him under the last foregoing subsection shall be kept in the General Register Office in such order and manner as the Registrar General, subject to any directions of the Minister, may think fit:

Provided that where a filled register of still–births has been forwarded to the Registrar General he may destroy any certified copies of entries therein previously sent to him.

Textual Amendments

F145 Word in s. 28(4) substituted (13.11.2006) by The Registration of Births and Deaths (Electronic Communications and Electronic Storage) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/2809), arts. 1(1), 5

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C8 S. 28: functions of the Secretary of State transferred (1.4.1996) by S.I. 1996/273, art. 3(1), Sch. 1 para. 8(a)

C9 S. 28(4): transfer of functions (3.4.2008) by The Transfer of Functions (Registration) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/678), art. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 6(a) (with art. 4)

29 Correction of errors in registers. E+W

(1) No alteration shall be made in any register of live–births, still–births or deaths except as authorised by this or any other Act.

(2) Any clerical error which may from time to time be discovered in any such register may, in the prescribed manner and subject to the prescribed conditions, be corrected by any person authorised in that behalf by the Registrar General.

(3) An error of fact or substance in any such register may be corrected by entry in the margin (without any alteration of the original entry) by the officer having the custody of the register, F146 . . . and upon production to him by that person of a statutory declaration setting forth the nature of the error and the true facts of the case made by two qualified informants of the birth or death with reference to which the error has been made, or in default of two qualified informants then [F147 either] by two credible persons having knowledge of the truth of the case [F148 or, where it applies, in accordance with section 29A of this Act].

[F149 (3A) In the case of a death in relation to which the registrar has been given a confirmed attending practitioner's certificate, or a medical examiner's certificate, in accordance with regulations under section 20 of the 2009 Act—

(a) no correction under subsection (3) of this section relating to the cause of death may be made without the approval of the medical examiner concerned;

(b) any error of fact or substance relating to the cause of death in a register of deaths may be corrected by entry in the margin (without any alteration of the original entry) by the officer having the custody of the register on being notified by the medical examiner of the nature of the error and the true facts of the case.

(3B) In the case of a death in relation to which an investigation under Part 1 of the 2009 Act has been discontinued under section 4 of that Act (cause of death [F150 becoming clear before inquest])—

(a) no correction under subsection (3) of this section relating to the cause of death may be made without the approval of the senior coroner concerned;

(b) any error of fact or substance relating to the cause of death in a register of deaths may be corrected by entry in the margin (without any alteration of the original entry) by the officer having the custody of the register on being notified by the senior coroner of the nature of the error and the true facts of the case.]

[F151 (4) Where—

(a) an error of fact or substance (other than an error relating to the cause of death) occurs in the information given by a coroner’s certificate concerning F152 ... a death [F153 into which he has conducted an investigation under Part 1 of the 2009 Act (other than one that has been discontinued under section 4 of that Act)]; F154 ...

F154 (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]

the coroner, if satisfied by evidence on oath or statutory declaration that such an error exists, may certify [F155 in writing] to the officer having the custody of the register in which the information is entered the nature of the error and the true facts of the case as ascertained by him on that evidence, and the error may thereupon be corrected by that officer in the register by entering in the margin (without any alteration of the original entry) the facts as so certified by the coroner.

Textual Amendments

F146 Words repealed by S.I. 1968/1242, Sch. 2

F147 Word in s. 29(3) inserted (24.7.2002) by The Deregulation (Correction of Birth and Death Entries in Registers or Other Records) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/1419), art. 2(1)(a)

F148 Words in s. 29(3) inserted (24.7.2002) by The Deregulation (Correction of Birth and Death Entries in Registers or Other Records) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/1419), art. 2(1)(b)

F149 S. 29(3A)(3B) inserted (25.7.2013 for specified purposes, 16.4.2024 for specified purposes, 9.9.2024 in so far as not already in force) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), s. 182(4)(e), Sch. 21 para. 18(2) (with s. 180); S.I. 2013/1869, art. 2(o)(vii); S.I. 2024/516, arts. 2(f), 3(j)

F150 Words in s. 29(3B) substituted (28.6.2022) by Judicial Review and Courts Act 2022 (c. 35), ss. 39(4)(d), 51(3)

F151 Words substituted by Criminal Law Act 1977 (c. 45), Sch. 12

F152 Words repealed by Coroners Act 1980 (c. 38, SIF 33), Sch. 2

F153 Words in s. 29(4)(a) substituted (25.7.2013) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), s. 182(4)(e), Sch. 21 para. 18(3) (with s. 180); S.I. 2013/1869, art. 2(o)(viii)

F154 S. 29(4)(b) and word repealed (25.7.2013) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), s. 182(4)(e), Sch. 21 para. 18(4), Sch. 23 Pt. 1 (with s. 180); S.I. 2013/1869, art. 2(o)(viii)

F155 Words in s. 29(4) substituted (1.12.2021) by The Births and Deaths Registration (Electronic Communications and Electronic Storage) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1231), arts. 1(2), 3(6)

[F156 29A Alternative procedure for certain corrections. E+W

(1) This section applies where, in an entry in a register of live-births, still-births or deaths, a person is wrongly shown as [F157 —

(a) the father of the person to whose birth or death the entry relates; or

(b) a parent of that person (having been so registered on the basis of being such a parent by virtue of 42, 43 or 46(1) or (2) of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008).]

(2) Where this section applies, the statutory declaration required by section 29(3) of this Act may be made—

(a) in default of two qualified informants, by one qualified informant of the birth or death to which the entry relates;

(b) in default of any qualified informant, by one credible person having knowledge of the truth of the case.

(3) Such a statutory declaration must be accompanied by documentary evidence of a finding that the person shown as the father was not the father [F158 or, as the case may be, that the person shown as a parent was not such a parent by virtue of 42, 43 or 46(1) or (2) of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008] .

(4) But subsection (5) applies if it appears to the officer having custody of the register that the only evidence on which the finding was made was that of the person making the statutory declaration.

(5) In that case, the officer may correct the error only if satisfied that another person, who is either a qualified informant or a credible person having knowledge of the truth of the case, has (whether before or since the making of the declaration) confirmed the material facts stated in the declaration.

(6) “Finding” means a finding made expressly in judicial proceedings in the United Kingdom or elsewhere.]

Textual Amendments

F156 S. 29A inserted (24.7.2002) by The Deregulation (Correction of Birth and Death Entries in Registers or Other Records) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/1419), art. 2(2)

F157 Words in s. 29A(1) substituted (6.4.2009 for specified purposes, 1.9.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (c. 22), s. 68(2), Sch. 6 para. 10(2); S.I. 2009/479, art. 6(1)(e)(2) (with art. 7, Sch.)

F158 Words in s. 29A(3) inserted (6.4.2009 for specified purposes, 1.9.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (c. 22), s. 68(2), Sch. 6 para. 10(3); S.I. 2009/479, art. 6(1)(e)(2) (with art. 7, Sch.)

Searches and Certificates E+W

30 Searches of indexes kept by Registrar General. E+W

(1) The Registrar General shall cause indexes of all certified copies of entries in registers sent to him under this Act or under any enactment repealed by this Act to be made and kept in the General Register Office.

[F159 (1A) The Registrar General shall cause an index to be made and kept in the General Register Office of the entries in the register kept by him under section 3A of this Act.]

(2) Any person shall be entitled to search the said indexes at any time when the General Register Office is open for that purpose, and to have a certified copy of any entry in the said certified copies F160 ...

(3) The foregoing provisions of this section shall not apply to certified copies of entries in registers of still–births, but the Registrar General may, if he sees fit in any particular case F161 ..., cause a search to be made for, and allow any person to have a certified copy of, any entry in any such certified copies or in any filled register of still–births which has been forwarded to him.

[F162 (4) A reference in this section to a certified copy of an entry sent to the Registrar General includes a reference to information contained in such an entry provided to him in an electronic form approved by him: and a reference to an entry in any such certified copy shall be construed accordingly.]

Textual Amendments

F159 S. 30(1A) inserted by Children Act 1975 (c. 72), Sch. 3 para. 13(4)

F160 Words in s. 30(2) omitted (12.7.2016) by virtue of Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 15 para. 23(a); S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(w)

F161 Words in s. 30(3) omitted (12.7.2016) by virtue of Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 15 para. 23(b); S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(w)

F162 S. 30(4) inserted (13.11.2006) by The Registration of Births and Deaths (Electronic Communications and Electronic Storage) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/2809), arts. 1(1), 6

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C10 S. 30(1)(2) extended with modifications by S.I. 1982/1526, art. 2, Sch. 1 Pts. I, II

31 Searches of indexes kept by superintendent registrars. E+W

(1) Every superintendent registrar shall cause indexes of the registers of live–births and registers of deaths in his register office to be made and to be kept with the other records of that office, and the Registrar General shall supply to every superintendent registrar suitable forms for the making of such indexes.

(2) Any person shall be entitled at any time when the register office is required to be open for the transaction of public business to search the said indexes, and to have a certified copy of any entry in the said registers [F163 issued by] the superintendent registrar F164 ...

Textual Amendments

F163 Words in s. 31(2) substituted (1.12.2021) by The Births and Deaths Registration (Electronic Communications and Electronic Storage) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1231), arts. 1(2), 3(7)

F164 Words in s. 31(2) omitted (12.7.2016) by virtue of Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 15 para. 24; S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(w)

32 Searches in registers kept by registrars. E+W

Every registrar shall at any time when his office is required to be open for the transaction of public business allow searches to be made in any register of births or register of deaths in his keeping, and shall give a copy certified [F165 by the registrar] of any entry therein F166 ... .

Provided that this section shall not apply in relation to a register of still–births except as the registrar may, with the consent of the Registrar General, in any particular case allow.

Textual Amendments

F165 Words in s. 32 substituted (1.12.2021) by The Births and Deaths Registration (Electronic Communications and Electronic Storage) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1231), arts. 1(2), 3(8)

F166 Words in s. 32 omitted (12.7.2016) by virtue of Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 15 para. 25; S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(w)

33 Short certificate of birth. E+W

(1) Any person shall, F167 ... on furnishing the prescribed particulars, be entitled to obtain from the Registrar General, a superintendent registrar or a registrar a short certificate of the birth of any person.

(2) Any such certificate shall be in the prescribed form and shall be compiled in the prescribed manner from the records and registers in the custody of the Registrar General, or from the registers in the custody of the superintendent registrar or registrar, as the case may be, and shall contain such particulars as may be prescribed:

Provided that any particulars prescribed in addition to name, surname, sex and date of birth shall not include any particulars relating to parentage or adoption contained in any such records or registers.

Textual Amendments

F167 Words in s. 33(1) omitted (12.7.2016) by virtue of Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 15 para. 26; S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(w)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C11 S. 33 excluded by S.I. 1987/2088, reg. 63(1)

C12 S. 33(1) extended (with modifications) by S.I. 1982/1526, art. 2, Sch. 1 Pts. I, II

C13 S. 33(2) extended (with modifications) by S.I. 1982/1526, art. 2, Sch. 1 Pt. I

[F168 33A Short certificate of death E+W

(1) Any person shall [F169 , on furnishing the prescribed particulars,] be entitled to obtain from the Registrar General, a superintendent registrar or a registrar a short certificate of the death of any person.

(2) Any such certificate shall be in the prescribed form and shall be compiled in the prescribed manner from the records and registers in the custody of the Registrar General, or from the registers in the custody of the superintendent registrar or registrar, as the case may be, and shall contain such particulars as may be prescribed.

F170 (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]

Textual Amendments

F168 S. 33A inserted (16.4.2024 for specified purposes, 9.9.2024 in so far as not already in force) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), s. 182(4)(e), Sch. 21 para. 19 (with s. 180); S.I. 2024/516, arts. 2(g), 3(k)

F169 Words in s. 33A(1) substituted (12.7.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 15 para. 27; S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(w)

F170 S. 33A(3) omitted (12.7.2016) by virtue of Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 15 para. 27; S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(w)

34 Entry in register as evidence of birth or death. E+W

(1) The following provisions of this section shall have effect in relation to entries in registers under this Act or any enactment repealed by this Act.

(2) An entry or a certified copy of an entry of a birth or death in a register, or in a certified copy of a register, shall not be evidence of the birth or death unless the entry purports to be signed by some person professing to be the informant and to be such a person as might be [F171 required or permitted by law] at the date of the entry to give to the registrar information concerning that birth or death:

Provided that this subsection shall not apply—

(a) in relation to an entry of a birth which, not being an entry signed by a person professing to be a superintendent registrar, purports to have been made with the authority of the Registrar General; or

(b) in relation to an entry of a death which purports to have been made upon a certificate from a coroner; or

(c) in relation to an entry of a birth or death which purports to have been made in pursuance of the enactments with respect to the registration of births and deaths at sea.

[F172 (d) in relation to the re–registration of a birth under section 9(5) of this Act].

(3) Where more than three months have intervened between the date of the birth of any child or the date when any living new–born child [F173 or still–born child] was found exposed and the date of the registration of the birth of that child, the entry or a certified copy of the entry of the birth of the child in the register, or in a certified copy of the register, shall not be evidence of the birth unless—

[F174 (a) if it appears that not more than 12 months have so intervened—

(i) the original entry was made after the commencement of paragraph 7 of Schedule 6 to the Welfare Reform Act 2009, or

(ii) the entry purports either to be signed by the superintendent registrar as well as by the registrar or to have been made with the authority of the Registrar General;]

(b) if more than twelve months have so intervened, the entry purports to have been made with the authority of the Registrar General:

Provided that this subsection shall not apply in any case where the original entry in the register was made before the first day of January, eighteen hundred and seventy–five.

F175 (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5) A certified copy of an entry in a register or in a certified copy of a register shall be deemed to be a true copy notwithstanding that it is made on a form different from that on which the original entry was made if any differences in the column headings under which the particulars appear in the original entry and the copy respectively are differences of form only and not of substance.

(6) The Registrar General shall cause any certified copy of an entry given in the General Register Office to be sealed or stamped with the seal of that Office; and, subject to the foregoing provisions of this section, any certified copy of an entry purporting to be sealed or stamped with the said seal shall be received as evidence of the birth or death to which it relates without any further or other proof of the entry, and no certified copy purporting to have been given in the said Office shall be of any force or effect unless it is sealed or stamped as aforesaid.

Textual Amendments

F171 Words substituted by Family Law Reform Act 1987 (c. 42, SIF 49:7), s. 33(1), Sch. 2 para. 17

F172 S. 34(2)(d) added by Children Act 1975 (c. 72), Sch. 3 para. 13(5)(a)

F173 Words inserted by Children Act 1975 (c. 72), Sch. 3 para. 13(5)(b)

F174 S. 34(3)(a) substituted (28.5.2012) by Welfare Reform Act 2009 (c. 24), s. 61(3), Sch. 6 para. 14; S.I. 2012/1256, art. 2(2)(b)

F175 S. 34(4) repealed (9.9.2024) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), s. 182(4)(e), Sch. 21 para. 20, Sch. 23 Pt. 1 (with s. 180); S.I. 2024/516, art. 3(l)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C14 S. 34(5)(6) extended with modifications by S.I. 1982/1526, art. 2, Sch. 1 Pts. 1, 2, 3

C15 S. 34(5) applied (4.4.2005) by Gender Recognition Act 2004 (c. 7), s. 26, Sch. 3 para. 10(1); S.I. 2005/54, art. 2

C16 S. 34(5) applied (1.10.2014) by Presumption of Death Act 2013 (c. 13), s. 22(2), Sch. 1 para. 3(5) (with s. 21); S.I. 2014/1810, art. 2

[F176 34A Searches and records of information: additional provision E+W

(1) The Minister may make regulations for the purpose of enabling the Registrar General—

(a) to carry out, on request, a search to find out whether the Registrar General's certified copies contain a particular entry;

(b) to provide, on request, a record of information contained in an entry in the Registrar General's certified copies, otherwise than in the form of a certified copy.

F177 (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) The regulations may make provision—

(a) as to how a request for a search or a record may be made;

(b) as to the forms in which a record may be provided.

(4) The provision that may be made in the regulations includes provision for a record to be provided in a form that does not include all of the information contained in an entry.

(5) This section does not affect the entitlement under this Act of any person to a certified copy of an entry in the Registrar General's certified copies.

(6) In this section, “the Registrar General's certified copies” means the certified copies of entries in registers sent to the Registrar General under this Act or under any enactment repealed by this Act and kept in the General Register Office.

(7) Section 30(4) applies for the purposes of this section as it applies for the purposes of section 30.]

Textual Amendments

F176 S. 34A inserted (26.5.2015) by Deregulation Act 2015 (c. 20), ss. 98(2), 115(3)(k)

F177 S. 34A(2) omitted (12.7.2016) by virtue of Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 15 para. 28; S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(w)

Offences E+W

35 Offences relating to registers. E+W

If any person commits any of the following offences, that is to say—

(a) if, being a registrar, he refuses or without reasonable cause omits to register any birth or death or particulars concerning which information has been tendered to him by a qualified informant and which he is required by or under this Act to register; or

(b) if, being a person having the custody of any register of births or register of deaths, he carelessly loses or injures the register or allows the register to be injured,

he shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding [F178 level 3 on the standard scale].

Textual Amendments

F178 Words substituted by virtue of Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), ss. 38, 46

36 Penalties for failure to given information, etc. E+W

If any person commits any of the following offences, that is to say—

(a) if, being required by or under this Act to give information concerning any birth or death F179 . . . or any dead body, he wilfully refuses to answer any question put to him by the registrar relating to the particulars required to be registered concerning the birth or death, or save as provided in this Act, fails to comply with any requirement of the registrar made thereunder;

(b) if he refuses or fails without reasonable excuse to give, deliver or send any certificate which he is required by this Act to give, deliver or send;

(c) if, being a parent and save as provided in this Act, he fails to give information concerning the birth of his child as required by this Act; or

(d) if, being a parent of a legitimated person F180 . . . , he fails to comply with any requirement of the Registrar General made under or by virtue of section fourteen of this Act; or

(e) if, being a person upon whom a duty to give information concerning a death is imposed by paragraph (a) of subsection (3) of section sixteen or seventeen of this Act, he fails to give that information and that information is not given,

he shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding [F181 £2] for each offence.

Textual Amendments

F179 Words repealed by Children Act 1975 (c. 72), Sch. 4 Pt. VI

F180 Words repealed by Legitimation (Re–registration of Birth) Act 1957 (c. 39), s. 1(2)

F181 Words substituted by virtue of Decimal Currency Act 1969 (c. 19), s. 10(1)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C17 S. 36 amended by Criminal Justice Act 1967 (c. 80), s. 92, Sch. 3 Pt. I (as amended by virtue of Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c.48, SIF 39:1), ss. 38, 46 )

37 Penalty for forging certificate, etc. E+W

If any person F182 ... falsifies any certificate, declaration or order [F183 (including any copy of the same in an approved electronic form)] under this Act, or knowingly uses, or gives or sends to any person, as genuine any false F182 ... certificate, declaration or order [F183 (including any copy of the same in an approved electronic form)]for the purposes of this Act, he shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding [F184 level 1 on the standard scale].

Textual Amendments

F182 Words repealed by Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981 (c. 45, SIF 39:7), s. 30, Sch. Pt. I

F183 Words in s. 37 inserted (1.12.2021) by The Births and Deaths Registration (Electronic Communications and Electronic Storage) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1231), arts. 1(2), 3(9)

F184 Words substituted by virtue of Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), s. 46

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C18 S. 37 extended with modifications by S.I. 1982/1526, art. 2, Sch. 1 Pt. III

38 Prosecution of offences and application of fines. E+W

(1) Subject as may be prescribed, a superintendent registrar may prosecute any person for an offence under this Act committed within his district, and any costs incurred by him in any such prosecution, being costs which are not otherwise provided for, shall be defrayed out of moneys provided by Parliament.

(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F185

Textual Amendments

F185 S. 38(2) repealed by Criminal Justice Act 1972 (c. 71), Sch. 6 Pt. II

Miscellaneous E+W

[F186 38A Fees E+W

(1) The Minister may by regulations provide for fees to be payable to such persons as may be prescribed in respect of—

(a) the issue of a certificate under section 13(2);

(b) the carrying out of a search of—

(i) any register of births or register of deaths,

(ii) any index kept in relation to such a register, or

(iii) certified copies of entries in such a register;

(c) the provision of a certified copy, or other record of information, relating to an entry in a register of births or a register of deaths;

(d) the provision of a short certificate of birth or a short certificate of death (see sections 33 and 33A);

(e) such other birth or death registration services as may be prescribed.

(2) Regulations under this section may—

(a) specify the amount of any fee payable under the regulations, or

(b) set out how such a fee is to be determined.

(3) Subsection (4) applies where the regulations provide for a fee to be payable to a superintendent registrar or registrar.

(4) The regulations may provide for such part of the fee as may be specified by or determined in accordance with the regulations to be payable by the superintendent registrar or registrar to the Registrar General in prescribed circumstances.

(5) The regulations may provide for the reduction, waiver or refund of part or all of a fee whether by conferring a discretion or otherwise.

(6) In this section—

• “birth or death registration services” means services in connection with the registration of births or deaths which are provided—

  (a)

  by or on behalf of the Registrar General, a superintendent registrar or registrar, or

  (b)

  by any other person;

• “prescribed” means prescribed in regulations made under this section.]

Textual Amendments

F186 S. 38A inserted (12.7.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 15 para. 2; S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(w)

39 Regulations [F187 and approval of electronic forms etc.] E+W

[F188 (1)] The Registrar General may, with the approval of the Minister, by statutory instrument make regulations—

(a) prescribing anything which by this Act is required to be prescribed;

(b) providing that any provision of this Act specified in the regulations, being a provision relating to the registration or entry of births, shall cease to apply in relation to still–births or, in the case of a provision expressed by this Act not to apply in relation to still–births, shall apply in relation to still–births with such modifications, if any, as may be prescribed:

Provided that paragraph (b) of this section shall not apply in relation to section nine or eleven of this Act.

[F189 (2) The Registrar General may approve forms of electronic communication or electronic storage (including an electronic signature) for the purposes of a provision of this Act.]

Textual Amendments

F187 Words in s. 39 heading inserted (1.12.2021) by The Births and Deaths Registration (Electronic Communications and Electronic Storage) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1231), arts. 1(2), 3(10)(a)

F188 S. 39 renumbered as s. 39(1) (1.12.2021) by The Births and Deaths Registration (Electronic Communications and Electronic Storage) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1231), arts. 1(2), 3(10)(b)

F189 S. 39(2) inserted (1.12.2021) by The Births and Deaths Registration (Electronic Communications and Electronic Storage) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1231), arts. 1(2), 3(10)(c)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C19 S. 39: functions of the Secretary of State transferred (1.4.1996) by S.I. 1996/273, art. 3(1), Sch. 1 para. 8(b)

C20 S. 39: transfer of functions (3.4.2008) by The Transfer of Functions (Registration) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/678), art. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 6(b) (with art. 4)

[F190 39A Regulations made by the Minister: further provisions E+W

(1) Regulations made by the Minister under the relevant provisions may—

(a) make different provision for different cases or areas,

(b) provide for exemptions from any of the provisions of the regulations, and

(c) contain such [F191 consequential,] incidental, supplemental and transitional provision as the Minister considers appropriate.

(2) Before making regulations under the relevant provisions [F192 other than section 38A] the Minister must consult the Registrar General.

(3) Any power of the Minister to make regulations under the relevant provisions is exercisable by statutory instrument.

(4) A statutory instrument containing regulations made by the Minister under the relevant provisions is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

(5) In this section “the relevant provisions” means sections 2B(1), (4) and (6), 2C, 2D, 2E, 10B [F193 , 10C [F194 , 34A and 38A]].]

Textual Amendments

F190 S. 39A inserted (19.9.2016) by Welfare Reform Act 2009 (c. 24), s. 61(3), Sch. 6 para. 17; S.I. 2016/913, art. 2(b)

F191 Word in s. 39A(1)(c) inserted (12.7.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 15 para. 30(a); S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(w)

F192 Words in s. 39A(2) inserted (12.7.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 15 para. 30(b); S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(w)

F193 Words in s. 39A(5) substituted (26.5.2015) by Deregulation Act 2015 (c. 20), ss. 98(4), 115(3)(k)

F194 Words in s. 39A(5) substituted (12.7.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 15 para. 30(c); S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(w)

40 [F195 Sending and providing notices, information or other documents] E+W

[F196 Where any notice], information, declaration, certificate, requisition, return or other document [F197 is required to be given, sent, delivered, produced, supplied, transmitted or otherwise provided for any purpose of this Act, the requirement may be met by—

(a) sending the document by post, or

(b) providing the document, or a copy of it, in an approved electronic form.]

Textual Amendments

F195 S. 40 heading substituted (1.12.2021) by The Births and Deaths Registration (Electronic Communications and Electronic Storage) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1231), arts. 1(2), 3(11)(a)

F196 Words in s. 40 substituted (1.12.2021) by The Births and Deaths Registration (Electronic Communications and Electronic Storage) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1231), arts. 1(2), 3(11)(c)

F197 Words in s. 40 substituted (1.12.2021) by The Births and Deaths Registration (Electronic Communications and Electronic Storage) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1231), arts. 1(2), 3(11)(b)

[F198 40A Original documents may be in an approved electronic form E+W

If a declaration made or certificate issued in the prescribed form for the purposes of this Act is made or issued in electronic form, it must be made or issued in an approved electronic form.]

Textual Amendments

F198 S. 40A inserted (1.12.2021) by The Births and Deaths Registration (Electronic Communications and Electronic Storage) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1231), arts. 1(2), 3(12)

41 Interpretation. E+W

[F199 (1)] In this Act, except where the context otherwise requires, the following expressions have the meanings hereby respectively assigned to them, that is to say—

• [F200 “the 2009 Act” means the Coroners and Justice Act 2009;]

• [F201 “approved electronic form” means any form of electronic communication or electronic storage (including an electronic signature) approved by the Registrar General pursuant to the powers conferred under section 39(2) of this Act;]

• [F200 “attending practitioner's certificate” has the meaning given by section 20(1)(a) of the 2009 Act;]

• “birth” includes a live–birth and a still–birth;

• [F200 “confirmed attending practitioner's certificate” means an attending practitioner's certificate in respect of which the cause of death has been confirmed by a medical examiner in accordance with regulations under section 20(1)(f)(i) of the 2009 Act;]

• “disposal”, in relation to a dead body, means disposal by burial, cremation or any other means, and cognate expressions shall be construed accordingly;

• [F202 “electronic communication” has the meaning given in section 15(1) of the Electronic Communications Act 2000;]

• [F202 “electronic signature” has the meaning given in section 7(2) of the Electronic Communications Act 2000;]

• [F203 “father”, in relation to an adopted child, means the child’s natural father;]

• “general search” means a search conducted during any number of successive hours not exceeding six, without the object of the search being specified;

• “house” includes a public institution;

• “live–birth” means the birth of a child born alive;

• [F200 “medical examiner” [F204 has the meaning given by section 48(1)] of the 2009 Act;]

• [F200 “medical examiner's certificate” has the meaning given by section 20(1)(h) of the 2009 Act;]

• “the Minister” means [F205 the Secretary of State];

• [F203 “mother”, in relation to an adopted child, means the child’s natural mother;]

• “occupier” in relation to a public institution, includes the governor, keeper, master, matron, superintendent, or other chief resident officer, and, in relation to a house let in separate apartments or lodgings, includes any person residing in the house who is the person under whom the lodgings or separate apartments are immediately held, or his agent;

• “particular search” means a search of the indexes covering a period not exceeding five years for a specified entry;

• [F200 “partner” (except in the expression “civil partner”) is to be read in accordance with subsection (2) of this section;]

• “public institution” means a prison, lock–up or hospital, and such other public or charitable institution as may be prescribed;

• “prescribed” means prescribed by regulations made under section thirty–nine of this Act;

• “qualified informant”, in relation to any birth or death, means a person who is by this Act or, in the case of a birth or death occurring before the commencement of this Act, by any enactment repealed by this Act required, or stated to be qualified, to give information concerning that birth or death;

• “registrar” in relation to any birth or death, means the registrar of births and deaths for the sub–district in which the birth or death takes place, or where any [F206 still–born child] is found exposed or any dead body is found and no information as to the place of birth or death is available, for the sub–district in which the child or the dead body is found;

• “relative” includes a relative by marriage [F207 or civil partnership] F208 ....

• “still–born child” means a child which has issued forth from its mother after the [F209 twenty -fourth week] of pregnancy and which did not at any time after being completely expelled from its mother breathe or show any other signs of life, and the expression “still–birth” shall be construed accordingly;

• “superintendent registrar” in relation to any registrar, means the superintendent registrar of births, deaths and marriages for the district in which that registrar’s sub–district is situate.

[F210 (2) A person is the partner of a deceased person if the two of them (whether of different sexes or the same sex) were living as partners in an enduring relationship at the time of the deceased person's death.

(3) A reference in this Act to an investigation under Part 1 of the 2009 Act being conducted includes a reference to the case where such an investigation has begun and—

(a) has not yet finished,

(b) is suspended under Schedule 1 to that Act (whether temporarily or otherwise), or

(c) is discontinued under section 4 of that Act.]

Textual Amendments

F199 S. 41 renumbered as s. 41(1) (25.7.2013 for specified purposes, 16.4.2024 for specified purposes, 9.9.2024 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), s. 182(4)(e), Sch. 21 para. 21(2) (with s. 180); S.I. 2013/1869, art. 2(o)(x); S.I. 2024/516, arts. 2(h), 3(m)

F200 Words in s. 41 inserted (25.7.2013 for specified purposes, 16.4.2024 for specified purposes, 9.9.2024 in so far as not already in force) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), s. 182(4)(e), Sch. 21 para. 21(1) (with s. 180); S.I. 2013/1869, art. 2(o)(ix); S.I. 2024/516, arts. 2(h), 3(m)

F201 Words in s. 41(1) inserted (1.12.2021) by The Births and Deaths Registration (Electronic Communications and Electronic Storage) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1231), arts. 1(2), 3(13)(a)

F202 Words in s. 41(1) inserted (1.12.2021) by The Births and Deaths Registration (Electronic Communications and Electronic Storage) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1231), arts. 1(2), 3(13)(b)

F203 Definition inserted by Children Act 1975 (c. 72), Sch. 3 para. 13(6)

F204 Words in s. 41(1) substituted (9.9.2024) by Health and Care Act 2022 (c. 31), ss. 169(5), 186(6); S.I. 2024/511, reg. 2

F205 Words in s. 41 substituted (3.4.2008) by The Transfer of Functions (Registration) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/678), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 6 (with art. 4)

F206 Words substituted by Children Act 1975 (c. 72), Sch. 3 para 13(1)

F207 Words in s. 41 inserted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(10)(b), Sch. 27 para. 19; S.I. 2005/3175, art. 2(2)

F208 Words repealed by Children Act 1975 (c. 72), Sch. 4 Pt. 1

F209 Words in s. 41 substituted (1.10.1992) by Still-Birth (Definition) Act 1992 (c. 29), ss. 1(1), 4(2).

F210 S. 41(2)(3) inserted (25.7.2013 for specified purposes, 16.4.2024 for specified purposes, 9.9.2024 in so far as not already in force) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), s. 182(4)(e), Sch. 21 para. 21(2) (with s. 180); S.I. 2013/1869, art. 2(o)(x); S.I. 2024/516, arts. 2(h), 3(m)

42 Savings, etc. E+W

(1) Any registration effected, certificate issued, notice or information given, order, regulations or return made or other thing done under any enactment repealed by this Act shall, if in force at the commencement of this Act, continue in force, and have effect as if effected, issued, given, made or done under the corresponding provision of this Act.

F211 (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F211 (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4) Any document referring to an enactment repealed by this Act shall unless the contrary intention appears to be construed as referring to the corresponding provision of this Act.

(5) Nothing in this Act shall affect any provision of the M6 Population (Statistics) Act 1938, requiring particulars to be furnished for the purposes of that Act.

(6) Nothing in this Act shall affect the registration of baptisms or burials, or the right of any officiating minister to receive any fees now usually paid for the performance or registration of any baptism or burial.

(7) Nothing in the foregoing provisions of this section shall be taken as prejudicing the operation of [F212 sections 16(1) and 17(2)(a) of the M7 Interpretation Act 1978] (which [F212 relate] to the effect of repeals).

Textual Amendments

F211 S. 42(2)(3) repealed (5.11.1993) by 1993 c. 50, s. 1(1), Sch. 1, Pt. VIII

F212 Words substituted by virtue of Interpretation Act 1978 (c. 30), s. 25(2)

Marginal Citations

M6 1938 c. 12.

M7 1978 c. 30.

43 Repeals and consequential amendments. E+W

(1) The enactments specified in the First Schedule to this Act shall have effect subject to the amendments respectively specified in that Schedule.

(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F213

(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F214

Textual Amendments

F213 S. 43(2), Sch. 2 repealed by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1974 (c. 22), Sch. Pt. XI

F214 S. 43(3) repealed by Registration Service Act 1953 (c. 37), Sch. 2

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C21 The text of s. 43(1) is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

44 Short title, extent and commencement. E+W

(1) This Act may be cited as the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1953.

(2) This Act shall not extend to Scotland or to Northern Ireland.

(3) ThisAct shall come into force on the thirtieth day of September, nineteen hundred and fifty–three.

Section 43.

FIRST SCHEDULE E+W Consequential Amendments of other Enactments

1 E+W . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F215

Textual Amendments

F215 Sch. 1 para. 1 repealed by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1977 (c. 18), Sch. 1 Pt. XIX

B. The Births and Deaths Registration Act, 1926 (16 & 17 Geo.5. c.88) E+W

2 E+W In subsection (1) of section one, for the reference to a certificate of the registrar given in pursuance of that Act there shall be substituted a reference to a certificate of the registrar given under subsection (2) or (3) of section eleven or under section twenty–four of this Act.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C22 The text of Sch. 1 paras. 2, 3, 4 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

3 E+W In section five, for the reference to a certificate given by the registrar under the provisions of that Act relating to still–births, there shall be substituted a reference to a certificate given by the registrar under subsectin (2) or (3) of section eleven of this Act.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C23 The text of Sch. 1 paras. 2, 3, 4 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

The Legitimacy Act, 1926 (16 & 17 Geo. 5. c.60) E+W

F216 4 E+W . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F216 Sch. 1 para. 4 repealed (5.11.1993) by 1993 c. 50, s. 1(1), Sch. 1, Pt. VIII

F217 F217 SECOND SCHEDULE E+W

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F217 S. 43(2), Sch. 2 repealed by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1974 (c. 22), Sch. Pt. XI