HC Deb 27 June 1972 vol 839 c297W
Mr. Mudd

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what, in the absence of a valid birth certificate, is regarded by his Department as adequate evidence of birth in the event of a parent or other responsible person having failed to register the birth at the appropriate time.

Mr. Dean

In the absence of a valid birth certificate, secondary evidence from as early a date as possible and from as many sources as possible is taken into account in deciding whether a claimant's statement about his date of birth can be accepted.

Typical sources of secondary evidence are certificates of baptism, confirmation and marriage, entries in a family Bible or birthday book, school records, life insurance policies and certificates of service in Her Majesty's Forces, but the sources available vary from case to case.