Birth Registration

A birth can be registered at any Civil Registration Office. You must register the birth of your child within 3 months of their birth.

Registration is a legal requirement in Ireland and you will also need a birth certificate to enrol your child in school, to apply for a passport and for many other purposes.

For Child Benefit, you will be contacted automatically as soon as you register the birth.

The birth certificate contains the information on the child and the parents given at the time of registration, so it is important that the information you give is accurate. It is difficult to change the details after the initial registration.

To register your baby’s birth:

  • Download, print and complete the Birth Registration Application form (pdf) from ‘Register a Birth – HSE.ie'
  • Make an appointment with a Civil Registration Service office and bring your Birth Registration Application form with you to the appointment.
  • All birth registrations are now strictly by appointment in the Dublin, Wicklow and Kildare offices.
  • Some offices outside of these areas may offer walk in appointments – go to ‘Register a Birth – HSE.ie’ for full details.
  • You can book appointments by phone and in some cases, online*.

Check ‘Register a Birth – HSE.ie’ for full details.

*From August 2024, some parents will be invited to register the birth of their baby online on MyWelfare.ie using their verified MyGovID account. For full details go to MyWelfare.ie and select ‘Civil Registration Services’

Fees

There is no fee for registration of a birth.

There is a €20 fee for a full standard certificate.

More Information

For more information go to ‘Register a Birth – HSE.ie