Joint birth registration
We want to give children the best start in life and encourage responsible parenthood. Registering a child's birth is a key moment for parents. They publicly acknowledge their responsibility for their child – not only as legal representatives, but also in the expectation that they will safeguard and promote their child's health, development and welfare. It is also a key moment for the child. It is one of the first milestones in life and can shape the child's future identity.
Other child-related policy areas include:
White Paper – Joint birth registration: recording responsibility
The Government published the White Paper – "Joint birth registration: recording responsibility" on 2 June 2008.
The paper sets out the Government's firm proposals to require joint birth registration and to improve access to, and information on, birth registration.
- Joint birth registration: recording responsibility (485KB)
- Impact assessment (222KB)
We will publish a further impact assessment in advance of legislation.
Green Paper – promoting parental responsibility
The Government published a Green Paper about the joint registration of births on 26 June 2007. The Green Paper set out the Government's proposals and invited comments. The consultation closed on 25 September 2007.
- Joint birth registration: promoting parental responsibility (364KB)

- Cofrestru genedigaeth ar y cyd: hyrwyddo cyfrifoldeb rhieni (301KB)

Contact the joint birth registration team
You can contact the team by email –
