A birth certificate is a vital document that records the details of a person’s birth. In the UK, there are two main types of birth certificates: the short birth certificate and the full birth certificate (also known as the long-form, full, or A4, certificate). Understanding the differences between these two certificates is essential, particularly when dealing with official documentation, passport applications, and other legal matters. This guide explores the key distinctions between short and full birth certificates, outlines when each type is required, and explains how to obtain a replacement birth certificate, should you need one, in the UK.
Whether you’re applying for a passport, registering for school, or handling important legal matters, having the right type of birth certificate can save you time, money, and unnecessary stress. In brief, here’s everything you need to know about these essential documents.
What is a Short Birth Certificate?
A short birth certificate, also referred to as a short-form certificate, is a basic extract from the birth record. It contains limited information, including:
- Child’s full name
- Sex
- Date of birth
- Place of birth
Are you wondering if your short birth certificate will be sufficient for your needs? Unfortunately, in most cases today, it won’t be. See below.
A Typical Short Birth Certificate: UK Situation
Historically, short birth certificates (or abridged certificates) were provided free of charge to new parents upon registration of a child’s birth. These documents were also issued to adoptees to protect their identity and that of their birth parents. However, short birth certificates do not include the names of either parent, making them insufficient for many official purposes today. Due to changes in identity fraud legislation, most organisations now require a full, paid-for birth certificate for verification. Some areas of the UK may still issue short-form birth certificates, but they’re being phased out as they are not a valid form of ID.
What is a Full Birth Certificate?
A full birth certificate − long-form or A4 certificate − is a complete record of the birth registration, containing all the information recorded at the time of birth. It includes:
- Child’s full name
- Sex
- Date and place of birth
- Mother’s full name and occupation
- Father’s (or second parent’s) full name and occupation (when registered)
- Address of the person registering the birth (the “registrant” is usually one of the parents, but in some cases, it can be another qualified individual such as a legal guardian or a person with parental responsibility)
- Date of registration and signature of the registrar (the official at the register office who records the birth)
Unlike short birth certificates, full birth certificates provide proof of parentage and are required for most official purposes, including passport applications and visa applications. Please note that having access to your full birth certificate is increasingly important in today’s identity-conscious world.
Why and When Do You Need a Full Birth Certificate?
A full birth certificate is required for various official and legal purposes, including:
- Applying for a passport
- Visa applications (e.g., ancestral visas to prove parentage and entitlement to residency)
- Enrolling in nursery, school, or higher education
- Employment verification
- Opening a bank account
- Marriage applications
- Proving nationality or identity
While short birth certificates are valid legal documents, since they don’t include parental details, they are generally no longer accepted for most official applications.
Not sure if you need a full birth certificate for your specific situation? Get in touch with our team for clarification – we’re here to help.
Can You Still Get a Short Birth Certificate?
By law, all children in the UK are issued a short birth certificate at the time of birth registration. However, as full birth certificates are required for most legal and official purposes, many people choose to obtain a full version later. While some local registry offices may still issue short birth certificates upon request, they are not widely used for official purposes anymore.
How to Obtain a Full Birth Certificate (Replacement or New Copy)
If you need a full birth certificate but only have a short birth certificate, or if you have lost your original document, you can order a replacement. The process includes:
Step 1: Register the Birth
Firstly, ensure you understand the registration requirements:
- Births must be registered within 42 days of the child being born at the local register office for the area where the baby was born.
- If parents are married or in a civil partnership, either parent can register the birth.
- If parents are unmarried, the mother can register the birth alone, or both parents can attend to include the father’s details.
What to Bring:
- The Personal Child Health Record (PCHR or “Red Book”).
- Proof of identity for both parents (e.g., passport, utility bill, driving licence).
- Marriage or civil partnership certificate (if applicable).
Step 2: Order a Copy of the Birth Certificate
You can order a birth certificate or replacement certificate through the General Register Office (GRO) or your local register office. Once you’re ready to order, here are your options:
- Online ordering: The fastest method is via the official GOV.UK website.
- By post: Complete the relevant GRO certificate application form and send it to the address provided.
- In-person: You can request a copy from the local register office where the birth was originally registered.
- Processing time: Standard orders typically take around four working days, while priority services may be available for faster processing.
- Cost: From £12.50.
Notarisation and Legalisation of Birth Certificates
Going to work or live abroad? For those needing a UK birth certificate for use abroad, additional authentication may be required:
- Notarisation: Unless specifically requested, you won’t require notarisation of your UK issued birth certificate. If you do, we will notarise the original birth certificate confirming it is genuine. A notary cannot make a photocopy of your birth certificate and certify it as a true copy of the original.
- Legalisation (apostille): You will need to get the birth certificate apostilled by His Majesty’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). As the birth certificate is issued by the UK government, and will have a signature of a public official, or the seal of the General Register Office (GRO) it can be apostilled directly without needing notarisation. Our professional and experienced team can assist you in the process of authenticating your certificate.
- Embassy or consular authentication: Some countries require additional verification by their embassy or consulate after the document has been apostilled. Contact us for more information.
We provide services for a notary certifying and/or apostilling UK birth certificates, as well as a range of other documents, ensuring that yours is legally recognised overseas.
Conclusion
For most official and legal purposes, a full birth certificate is required as it provides essential details, including parental information. While short birth certificates were traditionally issued for free, they are now largely obsolete for legal identification purposes. If you need to order a replacement birth certificate, you will now only have the option of ordering a full certificate.
Still have questions about which birth certificate you need or how to get it authenticated? Our team would love to help you navigate this process. For advice or assistance with notarisation and legalisation, contact us at Notary.co.uk on 020 7630 1777, or email us at info@notary.co.uk with questions or to schedule your appointment.