Birth Registration

Now that your baby has been born, you must by law, within 21 days, register the birth with a Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages.

The law now allows for a birth which occurred in Scotland to be registered at any registration office within Scotland.

In 2022, the law changed, allowing births to be registered remotely (over the telephone); however you can still arrange a face-to-face appointment with the registration office.

It is the responsibility of the mother or the father, if married to each other, to register the birth.

Where the parents are not married to each other, and both parents’ names are to appear on the birth registration, both parents have to be present for the registration.

If either parent is not able to attend the registration you should seek advice from the Registrar.

Documents Required

You will be required to take along to the Registrar the following documents:

• The birth card or form issued by the hospital at the time of the baby's birth.
• If the parents are married the marriage certificate, if available.

Documents you will Receive from the Registrar

• Abbreviated birth certificate which shows the child's name, date and place of birth which is free of charge.
• Form EC58 containing the child's National Health Service Number which should be submitted to the family doctor.

A full birth certificate can be purchased for the statutory fee. This shows details of parentage.