Registering babies born abroad :Cross Stitch – Government, citizens and rights

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.

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.

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:

Germany

G1 Compassionate (BMD) Headquarters UKSCGermany

BFPO 140

Cyprus

Personnel Branch HeadquartersBritish Forces Cyprus

BFPO 53

Nepal

Service Registering OfficerDCOS HQBritish Gurkhas Nepal

BFPO 4

All other areas

Joint Casualty and Compassionate CentreImjin BarracksBuilding 182InnsworthGloucester

GL3 1HW