Waiting to register your child’s birth?

Birth registrations which are required to be carried out at face-to-face appointments, were suspended nationally on March 23rd and the restriction has only recently been lifted.

Ahead of registration appointments resuming, Hartlepool Borough Council is currently working to ensure its offices are COVID-19 secure and, in the meantime, it is asking families to provide their details by completing an online enquiry form at www.hartlepool.gov.uk/birth-appointment or telephoning Customer Services on (01429) 523337.

Registration Services Manager Helen Lawty said: “For the safety of residents and staff we are unable to offer appointments until the work is completed.

“We’re asking people to supply us with their details online so that as soon as we are in a position to start making appointments again, our Register Office team will be able to contact families to arrange a suitable time for them to come in. The team is really looking forward welcoming parents back, and we would like to thank them for their patience.”

“There is a significant number of births to be registered and appointments will be allocated in order of children’s dates of birth.

The legal requirement for births to be registered within 42 days was also relaxed during the period of suspension and parents are being assured that no action will be taken if they have not registered a birth within that time frame.

Families are also being reminded that applications for Child Benefit and Universal Credit can still be made at www.gov.uk/child-benefit prior to the registration of a birth.

*Whilst birth registrations are required to be carried out at a face-to-face appointment, Stockton-on-Tees Registration Service is currently taking part of a video birth registration pilot project. Parents of children born at the University Hospital of North Tees who would like to be part of the trial, should contact Stockton-on-Tees Registration Service.