Why a Declaration?

[Elma]

Hi
I wonder if anyone could comment on why there was a [B]declaration on a birth certificate (in case I am missing something)!
My aunt was married on 1st Jan 1908. I have that certificate. Then a daughter Florence Mary was born on 22 Sept 1908 at 84 West Street, Farnham. It was Registered 7th Nov 1908. On the box for informant it says Florence Cooper. Mother. 5 Somerset Road Farnborough Hants as per declaration dated 2nd Novemer 1908.
I think I have just worked it out typing it out, the baby was born in Surrey and registered in Hants. I will leave the post though incase I am wrong.
ELMA

[Peter Goodey]

At one time Farnborough was actually in the Farnham registration district. However that's just confusing the issue; in 1908 it was in Hartley Wintney.

I think you're right. A statutory declaration would be required for registration in a different district (the county is neither here nor there because some RDs straddled county boundaries).

Your penultimate sentence is not quite right though. The birth was reported in Farnborough (hence the declaration) but registered in Farnham. That's assuming I'm reading the GRO index correctly ;)

The law required registration to be in the district where the child was born but the declaration could be made elsewhere.

[Elma]

Thanks Peter
Yes you are right. I had never seen a declaration before and they had got to register in the time allowed so I was curious.
Probably went to her mum's to have the baby!
Thanks again ELMA