Registering a birth in the UK
 

Hi,
I am a British citizen and have dual citizenship (USA). I have recently had a child that was born in the USA with a US citizen. I want to register my child's birth in the UK. While i recognize delays etc imposed by COVID-19 related shutdowns I have begun looking at the list of documents I need to send along with the application to register the birth. The list of required documents is extensive and seems excessive. In particular, I see that medical, hospital or insurance records that name both parents are required...I am not sure I have any of these. Has anyone applied recently and if so, did you have to make a request from the hospital, for example, for these records?
Thanks

Re: Registering a birth in the UK
 

I did this twice now, I think all that is only if you don’t have the long form birth certificate within 3 months of the birth. I am in CT and did not need it.

https://www.gov.uk/register-a-birth/y/usa/father/yes/same_country


Also to pass your UK Citizenship your need to be a UK Citizen other than by decent, assuming your were born and lived in the UK before you moved to the US, you are likely OK, but if you were born abroad to a UKC and never lived there it may not be as straight forward.

Re: Registering a birth in the UK
 

You don't need to register the birth to get a British passport for the baby. It's optional but not a requirement:

https://www.gov.uk/register-a-birth

You do not need to register with the UK authorities but it means:

• the birth will be recorded with the General Register Offices or at the National Records Office of Scotland
• you can order a consular birth registration certificate

Re: Registering a birth in the UK
 

OK, thanks. Assuming the office opens up for processing within 2 1/2 months i will be within 3 months too.

Yes, I was born in the UK to british born parents and lived there continuously until i was 27.

Re: Registering a birth in the UK
 

Which office? I think as long as you get the long form birth certificate within 3 months you will be OK. The person from the town/state came to the hospital before we left to register the birth, did they not do that?

Re: Registering a birth in the UK
 

As tht says you only need that extensive list if the birth was registered more then three months after the birth.

More general information here: https://britishexpats.com/wiki/Briti...h_Registration

Re: Registering a birth in the UK
 

And by that I think they mean registered in the USA not the UK. I seem to recall it has something to do with foreign adoptions being registered as births in the US or something like that, which is why they want medical records if it was registered after more than 3 months.

Also I know there is a cheaper way to get a copy of the certificate but for ease I juts ordered 2 when I did it so I would have them to hand. The registration does not automatically include the certificate. That way when the kids are old enough they can get their copy and I will have a backup.

I only have US passports for my kids and wife, we have up to 3 citizenships each so especially for the kids 3 new passports every 5 years would get expensive fast. Not had any issues taking them to visit the UK on their US passports and I still used the UK Citizen line for them as they are UK Citizens.

Re: Registering a birth in the UK
 

It's the ISSUE date of the birth cert that is important. So even if you registered the birth within 3 months, you can still have problems if the birth cert is ISSUED more than 3 months after the birth e.g. you lost the original birth cert and had a replacement issued more than 3 months after the birth.

UK consular birth registration is optional but it is probably a good idea for children born in the US. This is because birth cert standards vary widely across the US. Also, US birth records may be amended in adoption cases which means the biological parents may not even appear on the birth cert. Because of this, the UK is particularly suspicious of US birth certs issued more than 3 months after birth. If you try to use such a birth cert for a UK passport application, you may be asked to provide additional documentation proving who the biological parents are (e.g. hospital records). UK consular birth registration solves these issues and will make it much easier for the child to prove UK citizenship later in life.

Re: Registering a birth in the UK
 

It’s the date of registration rather than the date of issue for the reasons you mention.

https://www.gov.uk/government/public...h-certificates

Re: Registering a birth in the UK
 

Yeah - it says registration date but that wasn't my experience. I had an issue (pardon the pun) because of the issue date. My daughter's Maryland birth cert was short form (that's the default in Maryland) which wasn't acceptable as it only included name and age (in years - not DOB) of both parents. I had to order the long form birth cert which includes full details of both parents (name, DOB, age in years, place of birth and address). But this wasn't acceptable because, although the registration date was the same as the short form birth cert, it had an issue date 5 years later. I then had to get documentation from the hospital stating who the biological parents were. This was in the form of a letter along with a copy of the original birth registration notice.

Re: Registering a birth in the UK
 

Hmm, that’s not what they should’ve been asking. Was this when processing had just been handed back to the UK by any chance?

Re: Registering a birth in the UK
 

No - this was before - probably just before. The consular birth registration was handled by the British Embassy in Washington, DC in 2015.

Re: Registering a birth in the UK
 

All the Regional Passport Processing Centres had closed by April 2014. There were a lot of delays and difficulties for about a year afterwards so that might explain it.

Re: Registering a birth in the UK
 

There are great benefits to registering the birth so there is a permanent record in the GRO. In 50 years time when the individual loses their passport in Uzbekistan, they can get a duplicate of the birth cert from GRO. My two daughters were both born in foreign jurisdictions. In both cases I took the rouble to register at the Consular Section of the BritEmbassy and hence at GRO

Re: Registering a birth in the UK
 

Agreed but get multiple copies of the GRO birth cert now - don't even wait. Also get multiple copies of the US birth cert as well (long form that gives full details of the parents) within 3 months of birth.

Re: Registering a birth in the UK
 

THIS... it’s like when you buy lovies for your toddler.... you buy a pair and a spare.... I ordered additional copies of everything so I have multiple “originals”.

As others note the GRO certificate is useful because it also details the basis for your child’s claim to citizenship.

Re: Registering a birth in the UK
 

Thank you for all of the replies. Sorry I have taken so long to post again....I chalk it up to being a new parent and disorganized.

I understand that the full long version of the birth certificate is crucial and I have that. I did indeed get multiple "originals" so i can easily send it. On the gov.uk website it is stated that the following original documents are also needed (I have deleted documents that are not applicable)

• hospital, medical or insurance records naming the parents as the birth parents (if the birth was registered more than three months after it took place)
  
• the long version of the parent’s birth certificate showing the child’s grandparents’ details (for parents who were born in the UK)
• the parents’ marriage or civil partnership certificate (if applicable)
• change of name documents (if either parent has ever changed their name)

Have any of you ever sent any or all of these?

Re: Registering a birth in the UK
 

my situation was different to yours, so I had to send other documents (you removed from the list), but I did have to send the originals for the relevant documents. I paid extra to courier it all because some are originals I only have one of. I did receive them all back OK.

Re: Registering a birth in the UK
 

- As it says only required you should only provide these you registered the birth more than three months after it took place.
- This is only necessary if you were born on or after 1 January 1983.
- This should be provided if you are/were married to the other parent of the child being registered.
- This is only required if your name differs from what appears on your birth certificate and isn't already covered by a marriage certificate you are submitting.

Re: Registering a birth in the UK
 

Me and my wife plan on registering our child's birth in the US ASAP and then applying to register the birth in the UK when this service reopens.

Regarding the long form birth certificate unless I am reading incorrectly is this only for the parent (UKC) and not the child ....per the note:

"You must send the original versions of:

.The child’s full local birth certificate - it must have both parents’ names

.The long version of the parent’s birth certificate showing the child’s grandparents’ details (for parents who were born in the UK)"

The state we are in does not do long form birth certificates but the version they have does show the parents names and birth places on the certificate. Additionally, does my USC wife need to send her birth certificate or just marriage certificate and passport copy?

Re: Registering a birth in the UK
 

Where did you see that the long form birth certificate was a requirement when registering unless I am reading it wrong I though this was concerning the parent (UKC) and not the child born abroad ....per the note from the website:

"You must send the original versions of:

.The child’s full local birth certificate - it must have both parents’ names

.The long version of the parent’s birth certificate showing the child’s grandparents’ details (for parents who were born in the UK)"

The state we are in does not do long form birth certificates but the version they have does show the parents names and birth places on the certificate. Additionally, does my USC wife need to send her birth certificate or just marriage certificate and passport copy?

Re: Registering a birth in the UK
 

My case is not a good example for you as I was born outside the UK prior to 1981 to a British mother and German father, and my citizenship was registered by the Home Office and not by decent prior to the 1983 Act. I did send my original certificate of registration.

I looked back at my cover letter, I also sent my original foreign birth certificate (both my parents names were on it, our original marriage certificate, one of my sons original long form NY state birth certificates.

I also included a photocopy of one of my British passports and my wife’s US passport, but did not send her credit card size NH birth certificate.

Re: Registering a birth in the UK
 

“full local birth certificate” = long form birth certificate. Your state will do a long form certificate but you may need to especially request it. Your wife does not need to send her birth certificate if she has no claim to British citizenship.

Re: Registering a birth in the UK
 

I sent long-form birth certs for myself and my wife as well as our marriage cert. I also sent documentation from the hospital where our daughter was born. Her birth was registered immediately but we got the short-form birth cert for her. We didn't obtain her long-form birth cert until a few years after her birth so I was advised to send in documentation from the hospital that proved who the birth parents were. As one of my old bosses once said, "when dealing with government bureaucracy, always use a nuclear bomb to kill a fly."

Re: Registering a birth in the UK
 

Thank you for confirming, we will definitely inquire into that.

Just a general question for registering a birth in the US whenever asked for place of birth for immigration/SSN etc as an example I have always said Edinburgh, United Kingdom.

For our child's birth certificate I wrote parents place of birth as Edinburgh, United Kingdom. I assume this is fine?

Re: Registering a birth in the UK
 

Yes, that’s fine. Depending on the state it may just list the country.

Re: Registering a birth in the UK
 

It was a blank form that we completed and wrote down our answers in uppercase the questions were

Birthplace - State or Foreign Country

Birthplace - City

By listing UK it does not effect the process of registering her birth in Scotland? I believe when we register her birth in the UK the British authorities also send these records to the National Records of Scotland to have the birth registered in Scotland too. I assume that they review the application and my Scottish birth certificate when determining whether to forward as opposed to the UK portion on the child's birth certificate .. hopefully this won't cause a fuss when the General Register Office registers the child's birth and notes Edinburgh is in Scotland etc and forwards it to Scotland for processing too.

Re: Registering a birth in the UK
 

It’s a non-issue. The last time I checked Scotland was still part of the United Kingdom and the birth will only be registered by the FCO in Milton Keynes. The GRO/NRS will receive copies for their records, they won’t re-register the birth.

Re: Registering a birth in the UK
 

Thank you, when I last emailed them a few months ago they said the General Register Office will send a copy of the birth registration to the National Records of Scotland Office (you will notice that the consular registration certificate will have an ‘S’ in the marginal notes which denotes that the record will also appear in the Scottish records). I guess that even though it says UK I am sure they will look at my birth record of my actual Scottish birth certificate to ensure it is being forwarded.

This is thinking way, way ahead if Scotland were to become independent one day (per the SNP white paper) Child born outside Scotland to at least one parent who has Scottish citizenship = Automatically a Scottish citizen (the birth must be registered in Scotland to take effect).

This is why I am hoping that the GRO definitely forwards it to the National Records of Scotland. When I contacted the NRS previously they stated the the British overseas registration unit forwards birth abroad certificates to them on an annual ..or quarterly basis (can't remember which one)

Re: Registering a birth in the UK
 

​​​​​​​Do you know how they determine if it should be sent across to Scotland I assume it's not just based on the country that is listed in the child's birth certificate as our childs says UK instead of Scotland. I guess they look at my original Scottish birth certificate too?

Re: Registering a birth in the UK
 

Just wondering for any other users who had children in the US if you listed the parents birth country as UK instead of England, Scotland, Wales etc on their US Birth certificate??

Personally I have always listed UK for myself and on my SSN record as I believe I read on here that always refer to country as United Kingdom rather than England, Wales etc as the UK is a sovereign state.

I was concerned if I listed Scotland as my birth country on our child's certificate that it would not match up with the UK listing at the SSA. When doing the worksheet I entered the UK for their birth certificate I did Edinburgh, U.K instead of Edinburgh, Scotland.

Re: Registering a birth in the UK
 

I was just curious when you registered your child's birth in the US if you selected the parents birth country as the United Kingdom or if you selected one of the nation countries (Scotland, England etc)

At the hospital I selected Edinburgh, United Kingdom for the US birth record/certificate though I am overthinking and think I should of put Edinburgh, Scotland. I am contemplating if I should have this corrected OR when then UK consular birth certificate is created they look at my Scottish birth certificate and will write down parents birth as Edinburgh, Scotland instead of Edinburgh, U.K.

As the other user said its not an issue but thinking about how potentially Scotland may be independent in the future here. Probably overthinking this whole thing but your input is appreciated as you went through the process too. :)

Many thanks

Re: Registering a birth in the UK
 

my case is not a good example for you to follow, I fall in to a corner case, I was not born in the UK and because I was born before 1981 to a British mother and German father I did not become a British at birth, I was only able to pass on British citizenship to my children because I was registered at the direction of the Secretary of State at the home office, which means I became a British Citizen otherwise than by decent. I already got my Brexit hedge back in 2008 when the writing was on the wall (by getting a German passport again).

Re: Registering a birth in the UK
 

That is interesting glad you were able to pass the British citizenship on to your children. I believe by descent means not able to pass it on if the children were not born in the UK but glad there was a way for you to pass this on in your situation. Hi, I was just curious when you registered your child's birth in the US if you selected the parents birth country as the United Kingdom or if you selected one of the nation countries (Scotland, England etc) At the hospital I selected Edinburgh, United Kingdom for the US birth record/certificate though I am overthinking and think I should of put Edinburgh, Scotland. I am contemplating if I should have this corrected OR when then UK consular birth certificate is created they look at my Scottish birth certificate and will write down parents birth as Edinburgh, Scotland instead of Edinburgh, U.K. As the other user said its not an issue but thinking about how potentially Scotland may be independent in the future here. Probably overthinking this whole thing but your input is appreciated as you went through the process too. Many thanks:)

Re: Registering a birth in the UK
 

Slight bump on this for any expats who have had children in the U.S, is it advised to list the parents place of birth as United Kingdom or the specific nation (Scotland, England, Wales etc) ??

Re: Registering a birth in the UK
 

Personally I'd put Town/City United Kingdom

Re: Registering a birth in the UK
 

What does it say on your birth certificate?

I also think Scotland is a “country” not a “nation“. And your UK passport should say British Citizen.

I would not try to get clever with this application, my brother made a error when submitting for his children and cited the wrong act and it caused him no end of issues, and a lot of back and forth and having to contact different agencies for information.

Re: Registering a birth in the UK
 

It just states the hospital I was born and the city name there is no country of birth the only place that it says Scotland is at the top left of the certificate stating "this is an extract from an entry of the register of births in Scotland"

Re: Registering a birth in the UK
 

looking back at the form (assuming it’s not changed) it has 4 box's, again my answer won’t help you as I was not born in a hospital or the UK, and the county name for where I was born also changed in the mean time, but I put the current name and had no issues, so your would look like this:

Place of Birth: so I assume hospital name here
Town: Town the hospital is in
County (if applicable): County Name here if applicable
Country: United Kingdom

Re: Registering a birth in the UK
 

I see, yeah I am not sure whether to keep it as U.K or change it to Scotland on their US birth certificate I assume the British authorities will list my place of birth on the British birth certificate. It should hopefully not make any difference when obtaining their British consular birth certificate and having the records sent to the GRO and to Scotland.

​​​​If there are any other users on here who have had children in the US and can provide their input that would be great! 🙂