Registering a birth

A birth must be registered within 21 days of the baby being born.

From 24 September 2022 Scottish Government changed legislation surrounding the registration of Births.  Parents are now permitted to register their child’s birth remotely or in person.

You will need to make an appointment to register the baby by phoning 0300 100 1800 or visiting any contact centre or library contact centre. Please state which option you would prefer when making the appointment.

Documents required for all Birth Registrations

• The form issued by the hospital or midwife
• Parent’s marriage/civil partnership certificate (if applicable)

Registration office appointment

If the parents are not married to each other both parents must attend the registration appointment together. The mother may register the birth on her own, if she does not wish the father or parent’s name to appear on the entry. When parents are married or in a registered civil partnership with each other, either parent can register the baby.

An abbreviated birth certificate and the EC58 form to register the baby at a Doctor’s surgery will be issued free of charge and a full birth certificate can be purchased for £10 and issued at the time of registration.

Remote Birth Registration Appointment

Your appointment with our Registration Service will either be a telephone call or you can use the video conference service Microsoft Teams.

If the parents are not married you must both be present for the remote registration appointment. The mother may register the birth on her own, if she does not wish the father or parent’s name to appear on the entry. When parents are married or in a registered civil partnership with each other, either parent can register the baby remotely.

The form issued by the hospital or midwife and a relevant marriage or civil partnership certificate, (if applicable) should be scanned or photographed and emailed to the registrar.

The appointment should last no longer than 20 minutes and you will be given the opportunity to pay for a full birth certificate during the appointment. All documents will be posted out to you after the appointment.

The registrar will call you to complete the registration either over the phone or via Microsoft Teams. If you opt for Teams then an invite link will be emailed to you.

More information

Find out more on the National Records of Scotland website.

Child Benefit

When you have registered a birth, you may be eligible for Child Benefit. Find out more, including how to apply on the Government website.