England Birth Records

How to Find England Birth Records Using Guided Research
To find a birth record, choose the county the birth occurred:


 * Don't know the county? — Go to England Guided Research

The England counties listed above are based on historic boundaries pre-1974. The records dating before 1974 are located within the information found in the historic counties. This practice better assists our patrons who are researching their ancestors before the modern time period.


 * England Marriage Records
 * England Death Records

Introduction to Birth Records
In England there are two record types that can give birth information, Church Records and Civil Registration.

Before 1837 only churches recorded birth (baptism), marriage, and death information in England (see England Church Records). In the early 1800s, Parliament recognized the need for accurate records for voting, planning, taxation, and defense purposes. Legislation was passed to create a civil registration of births, marriages, and deaths for England and Wales and, for registering the same for British subjects abroad. England (and Wales) registration began on 1 July 1837, and covered births, marriages, divorces and deaths. However one problem with English civil registration is that coverage was not universal, especially in the earlier years before tougher laws in 1874. Use Church Records in these cases.

Church Records - Before 1837
Church records are the main source for birth information prior to 1837. The church recorded the baptism of an infant, because most babies were baptized within a few days after their birth. The baptism record can be used if the date of birth is missing. Some baptism records have the actual birthdate written to the side. Although a nationwide order was given in 1538 that each parish keep a register of baptisms, marriages, and burials, many parishes did not start to keep registers until later and some early records have since been lost or destroyed. Beginning in 1598, birth entries from many parishes were copied and sent annually to the bishop of the area diocese. These copies are known as Bishop’s Transcripts or BTs.
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Civil Registration - After 1837
Coverage and Compliance In 1837, the government in England and Wales required all births, marriages, and deaths to be recorded. Initially, up to 15% of events were not recorded, but that did not last long. By 1875, registration was mandatory and there were penalties for non-compliance. Most events since 1875 are registered. A birth had to be registered with the register office within 42 days. The law required all marriages to be recorded in a civil register immediately after the ceremony. Because a death certificate was required for burial beginning in 1837, almost all deaths were registered.
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Church Records
Baptism records usually contain:


 * Child's given name
 * Father's given name, and from 1813 his occupation and residence/address
 * Mother's name, and (rarely) her maiden surname
 * Baptism date, and occasionally birth date, which can sometimes be several years before the baptism.

It was common practice in families to use the same Christian name over again until a child with that name survived.

Civil Registration
A birth certificate usually gives:


 * birth date and birthplace
 * child’s name and sex
 * father's name and occupation
 * mother's full name including her maiden name
 * informant’s name, relationship to the baby, and residence
 * when registered and the name of the registrar

The father, mother, neighbor, or other person present at the birth must register a birth within 42 days. The 1874 act imposed a fee for late registration (43 days to 6 months). This penalty may have persuaded some parents to "adjust" their child's birth date to avoid paying the fee. After six months the birth could not be registered.