Registering a UK birth (and what passport your child gets)

When your baby is born in the UK, registering their birth is a legal requirement — and it is the first step in understanding what passport or visa status your child will hold. However, a UK birth alone does not automatically make your child British. Your immigration status and circumstances at the time of birth determine whether your newborn can claim British citizenship or needs to be added as a dependant to your visa.

The Registration Deadline and Process

In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, you have 42 days (six weeks) from the date of birth to register your child. In Scotland, the deadline is shorter — just 21 days. Registration must take place at the local register office in the district where the baby was born, though you can also register by declaration at another office if needed (the certificate will still be issued by the correct district).

Most register offices now require appointment bookings, which you can usually make online. The registration itself is free, though there are fees for obtaining certificates. The appointment typically takes around 30 minutes. You will need to bring proof of identity and the paperwork issued by the hospital (such as a notification of birth form), though some offices can proceed even without these documents if necessary.

Birth Certificates: How Many Copies to Get

At the time of registration, you can purchase certificates immediately. Many parents order several copies at once — schools, nurseries, visa applications, passport applications, and financial institutions all regularly ask for full birth certificates. Copies cost £12.50 each (standard service, posted within 15 working days) or £38.50 for priority next-working-day delivery. You can order multiple certificates in a single transaction.

The certificate comes in two forms: a full birth certificate (which includes your child's name, date of birth, place of birth, and both parents' details) and a short certificate (which shows only the child's name, sex, date and place of birth). For most official purposes — including passport applications — a full birth certificate is now required. The UK Passport Office no longer accepts short certificates for first-time passport applications.

You can order additional copies later from the General Register Office (GRO) online or from your local register office. If you order through the GRO website, registration takes about 10 minutes and certificates are dispatched about 4 days after ordering. Costs remain £12.50 per certificate (or £38.50 with priority delivery).

British Citizenship: Does Birth in the UK Make Your Child British?

This is the critical question for many expat families. The short answer is: no. A child born in the UK is not automatically British simply because of where they were born. British citizenship at birth applies only if at least one parent is a British citizen or holds settled status at the time of the birth.

Who Qualifies for Automatic British Citizenship at Birth

Your child will automatically be a British citizen if, at the moment of birth, at least one parent holds one of the following statuses:

• British citizenship
• Settled status (also called Indefinite Leave to Remain or ILR)
• Settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme (if you were an EEA citizen with permanent residence)
• Indefinite Leave to Enter (ILE)

If your child is automatically British, they do not need to be formally registered as a British citizen. You can simply apply for a British passport directly from His Majesty's Passport Office (HMPO) using your child's full birth certificate and proof of your own British or settled status.

What if Neither Parent is British or Settled

If neither you nor your partner holds British citizenship or settled status at the time of birth, your child does not automatically become a British citizen. This is true even though they were born in the UK. Instead, your child's immigration status will generally follow yours — they will need a valid passport from their country of origin and, in most cases, their own visa to remain in the UK.

However, there are pathways to register your child as a British citizen later if circumstances change. For example, if either parent obtains settled status or British citizenship after the birth, you may be able to register your child as British before they turn 18. The Home Office also has discretion to register children in other circumstances — for instance, if the child has lived continuously in the UK from a very young age.

Applications to register a child as a British citizen cost £1,214 and typically take around 6 months to process. Children who turn 18 during the application must attend a citizenship ceremony.

Adding Your Newborn to Your Visa

If your child is not automatically British, they will need to be added as a dependant to your own visa route. This applies to most expat families on work visas (Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker, etc.), study visas (Student), or family visas (Partner, Parent). The specific process and requirements depend on which visa category you hold.

General Requirements for Adding a Child Dependant

To add a child dependant to your visa, you typically must show:

• Your child is under 18 years old, unmarried, and not leading an independent life
• You have adequate accommodation for the child (a tenancy agreement, mortgage statement, or landlord letter confirming exclusive use of suitable space)
• You have sufficient income or savings to support the child without relying on public funds — exact thresholds vary by visa route
• Both parents are living together in the UK (for applications from inside the UK)
• A valid passport or travel document for your child from their country of origin

Timing and Application Process

You can add a newborn as a dependant in two ways. If you are applying for or extending your own visa, you can include your child in the same application — this is often cheaper and simpler than applying separately later. Alternatively, if your child is born while you already hold a valid visa, you can apply to add them as a dependant afterwards, either from inside the UK or from your home country.

Important note: if you are on a Student visa or Graduate visa, different rules may apply. From August 2026, a child born in the UK to a Graduate visa holder can apply as a dependant; previously this was less clearly permitted. Confirm with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) or your visa sponsor which rules apply to you.

When you add your child, they will receive a digital dependant visa (formerly called an eVisa or BRP card). Your child's visa permission will normally align with yours — if you extend, they extend too. Make sure to keep track of expiry dates for the whole family.

Visa Costs and Income Requirements

Adding a child dependant involves additional costs. On most visa routes (Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker, etc.), you must pay an application fee for your child (typically £827–£937 per child for a 3-year visa), the Immigration Health Surcharge (usually around £776–£1,035 per year for a child), and potentially a higher income threshold if supporting multiple dependants. For example, Skilled Worker visa holders must earn an additional £3,800 per year for the first child.

Some visa routes, such as family visas (Spouse, Parent), have different financial thresholds. Always check the current Home Office guidance for your specific route, as fees and requirements change periodically.

Other Official Steps After Birth Registration

NHS Registration and Child Benefit

After registering the birth, your newborn should be registered with a GP (family doctor) as soon as possible. The NHS will automatically know about the birth from the hospital, but registering with a local GP practice is essential for ongoing healthcare. You will need your child's full name, date of birth, and the full birth certificate.

If you are eligible, you can claim Child Benefit from Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC). Eligibility depends on your immigration status and residency — generally, British citizens and those with settled status can claim, but those on temporary visas typically cannot. The General Register Office (GRO) now shares birth registration data digitally with HMRC, which can speed up Child Benefit processing.

National Insurance Number

Your child will be issued a National Insurance number (NI number) automatically around three months before their 16th birthday, or earlier if needed for work or study. You do not need to apply for one immediately after birth.

Summary: Your Next Steps

1. Register your child's birth at the local register office within 42 days of birth (21 days in Scotland). Make an appointment online.
2. Order 3–5 full birth certificates at registration (£12.50 each). You will need them for schools, visas, passports, and other applications.
3. Check your immigration status: if you or your partner is British or has settled status, your child is automatically British. If not, you will need to add your child as a dependant to your visa.
4. If adding as a dependant, understand your visa route's requirements for accommodation, income, and application process. Consult your visa sponsor (employer or university) or an immigration adviser if unsure.
5. Register your newborn with a GP practice and HMRC (for Child Benefit, if eligible) once the birth is registered.
6. Obtain your child's passport (British or from their country of origin) as soon as possible — do not wait until you need it for travel.