Parents won’t be penalised if they haven’t registered the birth of their child within 42 days.

Kingston Council is waiving the rules during the coronavirus crisis.

“Birth registration appointments and Notice of Marriage appointments have been cancelled,” said a spokesman for Kingston Register Office. “Please be assured that parents will not be penalised in these exceptional times. You may now apply for child or other benefits without the birth certificate.”

If you have a marriage or civil partnership ceremony booked, the register office will contact you to re-arrange.

Rather unnervingly, the office where births, marriages and deaths are registered, located at The Old Court House, Guildhall, High Street, Kingston, is currently only open to register the latter.

Further information is available on its death registration page here, including details about the information you will be asked to provide.

If you have any questions email [email protected] or phone 020 8547 4600.