New service makes registering births easier

A new service is being launched to make it easier to register the birth of a child.

The Tell Us Once service for births will go live in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland on Thursday (March 15).

Currently, when a birth is registered a number of agencies such as child benefit, children’s services, library services and HM Revenue and Customs may need to be informed.

Tell Us Once will give parents the option of asking the registrar to inform the agencies that need to know about the birth so they don’t have to contact each one separately themselves.

The launch of the Tell Us Once service for births follows the launch of the service for the registration of deaths in the area in November.

Byron Rhodes, Leicestershire County Council Cabinet Member for Registration Services, said: We are delighted to be launching this service for the registration of births.

We know that having a baby means a huge change to people’s lives – Tell Us Once will make things a bit easier in what is generally a busy time for new parents.

We have had some good feedback from people who have used the service to register a death, and hope its expansion will continue to make life a bit simpler for people.”

Sir Peter Soulsby, the Leicester City Mayor, said: I very much welcome the Tell Us Once initiative for births.

I’m sure it’ll be of real benefit to new parents at what’s often one of the busiest times in their lives.

I think this is a really positive expansion of the Tell Us Once service that’s already provided for those who are sadly having to register a death. I know myself how well received that service has been and how much it is used.”

Cllr Martyn Pocock, Portfolio Holder for Resources at Rutland County Council, said: There is no doubt this will make life easier for new parents, saving them valuable time following the birth of their child.  

I’m pleased that the Tell Us Once service is gathering momentum and I look forward to further improvements in the future.”

For more on Tell Us Once visit: www.leics.gov.uk/tellusonce

                                                    ENDS

The benefits advised for the Informant and their partner (if applicable) are:

Housing / Council Tax Benefit

Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) - contributions based

JSA - income based

Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) - contributions based

ESA - income based

Income Support

Incapacity Benefit

HMRC to help speed up Tax Credit application (if applicable)

The following organisations can be contacted if you ask us to:

• Department for Work and Pensions

•Jobcentre Plus

• Housing Benefit Office

• Council Tax Benefit Office

• Library Services

• Children’s Services (Family Information Services)

• HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)

•Child Benefit

•Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit