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Registering babies born abroad
In most countries babies born as British citizens or babies born to serving members of the British Armed Forces can be registered by the appropriate British authorities. However, you need to request this facility as there is no automatic notification of the birth to UK authorities.
Babies born as British citizens abroad
You can go to either the British High Commission or the British Consul in most countries to register a birth. Birth certificates are issued by these authorities and can be used as proof of British citizenship, British Dependant Territories citizenship or British Overseas citizenship.
Your overseas registrations will be processed in the UK within 12 months, after which time additional certificates can be ordered.
Babies born to serving members of the British Armed Forces
If you are serving in the British Armed Forces abroad when your child is born, you can register the birth with the Forces Family Services or your relevant Registering Officer. You should do this within 12 months.
Useful contacts include:
| Country | Address |
|---|---|
| Australia | British Defence Liaison Staff, British High Commission, Commonwealth Avenue, Canberra, ACT 2600 |
| Germany | G1 Compassionate (BMD) Headquarters UKSC, Germany, BFPO 140 |
| Gibraltar | HQBF Registry, The Tower, British Forces Gibraltar, BFPO 52 |
| Cyprus | Personnel Branch Headquarters, British Forces Cyprus, BFPO 53 |
| Washington | British Defence Staff, British Embassy, 3100 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC 20008-3688 USA |
| Canada | British Defence Liaison Staff, British High Commission, 80 Elgin Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K1P 5K7 |
| Canada (BATU) | Headquarters, British Army Training Unit Suffield, BFPO 14 |
| Kenya | British Army Training Liaison Staff, Kenya, BFPO 10 |
| Falkland Islands | Headquarters, British Forces Falkland Islands, Mount Pleasant Airfield, BFPO 655 |
Countries in which you are not able to register a birth with British authorities
- Ascension Islands
- Australia
- Bermuda
- Canada
- Cayman Islands
- Christmas Islands
- Falkland Islands
- Gibraltar
- Irish Republic
- Nevis
- New Zealand
- St.Helena
- South Africa
- Turks & Cacos Islands
- Virgin Islands (UK)
In these cases, please contact the Foreign & Commonwealth Office.
