Birth registrations to re-start

Dudley Council suspended birth registrations at the start of lockdown as part of government guidelines to help combat the spread of coronavirus. However, from next week all newborns in the Dudley borough can be registered – albeit with new rules to ensure safety.

Parents who have not been able to register births due to the pandemic are urged to book an appointment to do so as soon as possible.

Registrations will only take place at Priory Hall in Dudley for babies born at Russells Hall Hospital and elsewhere within the borough. Appointments must be booked in advance at www.dudley.gov.uk/register-a-birth. Web bookings are preferred, but if this is not possible, appointments can be made by calling Dudley Council Plus on 0300 555 2345.

Appointments will take place outside, through a kiosk window.  No-one will be allowed entry into the building. It is advised to attend meetings by car, or wear weatherproof clothing, as registrars will call people to go to the kiosk window by phone when it is safe to do so.

Councillor Simon Phipps, cabinet member for procurement, transformation and commercialisation, said:

“Lockdown has been hard for everyone, and particularly so for anxious parents who have not been able to register their own baby’s birth.

“I am delighted that this service will now be available again in the Dudley borough. It is of utmost importance that people still limit their physical contact with others, so I am happy that the registration staff have put in place new rules to keep everyone safe.

“It is a legal requirement for parents or carers to register a birth, and under normal circumstances it should be done within the first 42 days after a baby is born. 

“We need the parents of all babies that were not able to be registered during lockdown to book an appointment as soon as possible. All newer parents should register the births before the 42 day limit as normal.”

For more details on registering births in the Dudley borough, go to www.dudley.gov.uk/register-a-birth.