Explanatory note

These Regulations amend the Registration of (Births, Still-Births and Deaths) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1973.

The amendments fall into two categories.

The first category of amendments are consequent on the coming into force of Paragraphs 83 to 88 of Schedule 9 to the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995. The amendments relate to the registration or re-registration of the births of children whose parents are not married to each other; to associated declarations and to the insertion into the Regulations of regulation 34A relating to the re-registration of a birth following a declaration of parentage or legitimacy under Article 32(4) of the Family Proceedings (Northern Ireland) Order 1989.

The second category of amendments relate to changes to the forms prescribed for the registration of live births and still-births (including after inquest) to insert a specific reference to the mother’s occupation and in the case of a still-birth to provide for any name or names and surname given to such a child.

A minor amendment is also made to the prescribed application form for the recording of a change of name or surname in respect of a child.