UK life events guide

A practical guide to the UK life events that create paperwork

Use these step-by-step tabs as a quick reference guide to understand who needs to do what, when, and which documents should be created. This guide is UK specific and highlights differences between England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

Coming soon

Life-event timelines

Turn these guides into interactive timelines with deadlines, reminders, and vault artefacts linked to each step.

  • Automatic deadline calculations once a date is set
  • Link existing vault items or create new ones
  • Progress tracking across multiple timelines

Quick reference

Static guide (today)

Use the tabs below for a fast checklist. Save and link the documents you already have in your vault, then return when the timeline feature launches.

Guidance only. Always check local authority requirements.

Birth

Registering a birth

Registering a birth is time-sensitive and varies across the UK. Use these steps to know who needs to act, when, and which documents you will create.

England and Wales checklist

  1. 1

    Receive hospital birth details

    Who: Hospital or midwife.

    When: Shortly after birth.

    Needs: Birth notification number (often in the red book).

    Creates: Birth notification details to take to the registrar.

  2. 2

    Book a registration appointment

    Who: Parent(s) or qualified informant.

    When: As soon as possible after the birth.

    Needs: Register office in the district of birth (or another office to pass details on). Some hospitals offer registration.

    Creates: Appointment booking confirmation.

  3. 3

    Prepare registration details

    Who: Parent(s).

    When: Before the appointment.

    Needs: Baby and parent details, plus ID (passport, driving licence or birth certificate) and proof of address. Bring the red book if requested.

    Creates: Completed registration information.

  4. 4

    If parents are not married and both parents will be recorded

    Who: Both parents or one parent with a declaration/court order.

    When: Before or during registration.

    Needs: Joint registration or proof of parentage (for example, a declaration or court order).

    Creates: Birth record includes both parents.

  5. 5

    Register the birth

    Who: Parent(s) attend the local register office.

    When: Within 42 days of the birth.

    Needs: Confirmed baby and parent details with the registrar.

    Creates: Birth record (official registration).

  6. 6

    Order certificates

    Who: Parent(s).

    When: At registration or later.

    Needs: Registration details.

    Creates: Birth certificate copies.

  7. 7

    Optional: Claim child benefits

    Who: Parent(s).

    When: After registration.

    Needs: Birth certificate details.

    Creates: Child Benefit and other eligible benefit claims.

  8. 8

    Optional: Re-register to add or correct parent details

    Who: Parent(s).

    When: After initial registration.

    Needs: Re-registration forms and supporting evidence.

    Creates: Updated birth record and certificates.

Sources