... in the eyes of the country is remarkably simple and without paperwork!

Liz phoned up a few days ago and booked an appointment with the registrar (she did at this point provide her name, the closest thing to authentication in the entire process).

Yesterday all three of us went into Reigate, found the library and kept that appointment. Upon our arrival, the registrar volunteered Liz's name, which we confirmed.

After this, we were asked the expected questions - our names, occupations, address and a few other bits. Plus of course Edward's name - she already knew his date of birth and other details from information provided by the hospital.

She printed a birth certificate and we left, it was that simple!

No evidence of anything at all was required. No proof of name or address and certainly not of occupation was required!

Well we didn't lie about any of it, honest, and now Edward is an official person! :-)