Parents must register their baby’s birth themselves – they cannot ask a relative or friend to do it for them. If English is not the parents’ first language, they are welcome to ask a relative or friend to come with them to help with the registration.
If the mother and father are married to each other at the time of the baby’s birth, either parent may register the baby, although the mother is considered to be the primary informant.
If the mother and father were not married to each other at the time of the baby’s birth, only the mother may register the birth. She is not obliged to include the father’s details. If the father is also present at the time of the registration, his details can also be entered in the register. This gives the father parental responsibility for the baby. If the father’s details are not entered at the time of registration it may be possible for this to be done at a later date.
There is more information on Gov.uk about registering a birth, including recording two female parents on a child’s birth certificate.
If you need further information, please contact Portsmouth register office.