Births
Can I change the birth record at a later date?
If the natural parents have married each other since the birth
If the natural parents have married each other since the birth, a re-registration will be required so that a new birth record can be created to show the child as a child of the parents’ marriage. To do this, you will need to complete a form LA1 (Application by the natural parents for the re-registration of their child’s birth following the parents’ marriage) – or form LA1W for births that took place in Wales. Please click as applicable to download, print out and complete.
Alternatively, you can obtain a form from any register office in England or Wales (but please note, Welsh forms are only available from Welsh register offices and the GRO) or by telephoning Corrections and Re-registration Section at GRO in Southport on +44 (0)151 471 4806, or e-mailing a request to corrections.&.re-reg.section@ons.gov.uk.
Full details about completing your application, including who needs to sign it and whether you should enclose any documents, appear on the form.
Once completed, your paperwork needs to be taken to your local register office – in some cases it may then need to be sent on to Corrections and Re-registration Section in Southport for processing.
There is no charge for authorising the re-registration of a birth - but if you would like to buy certificates of the new entry, see Obtaining new certificates after a record has changed.
