Order a copy of a birth certificate

You can only use this service for births already registered in the borough of Reading. You can also use this service for births that occurred in the borough of Reading but were registered by declaration elsewhere. If the birth was registered elsewhere, please contact the relevant local authority for information on how to order.

To apply for a full certified copy of a birth record we need to know:

• full name of the child (as registered at birth)
• date of birth
• place of birth (such as hospital or home address)
• parents names (as shown on the original registration)

A full birth certificate contains all the information recorded in the original birth register including mother and father’s details (where recorded). This certificate is required for official purposes such as passport and driving licence applications, and for many insurance, employment, pension and salary requirements. Birth certificates are not evidence of identity.

If a person was adopted, the original birth certificate can no longer be used for official use, such as a passport application. To obtain the legal birth or adoption record contact the General Register Office.