Register a birth

Before you start

You must register a birth within 21 days.

If your baby was born in Scotland, you can register the birth at any registration office in Scotland.

Who can register a birth?

Either parent if:

• married to each other
• in a civil partnership

The mother if parents are:

• unmarried
• not in a civil partnership

Both parents must be there to include both names on the birth certificate.

A relative can register a birth in exceptional circumstances. Contact a registrar if you need more information about this.

How to register

A birth occurring in Scotland may be registered in any Scottish registration office. 

Contact the Registrars team

What happens next

Birth registrations now take place remotely by telephone.

Following the initial contact telephone call, the registrar will call you back to complete the registration by telephone and certificates will be posted first class mail or can be collected by arrangement.

Documents we'll give you

• Abbreviated birth certificate
• Form EC58, which lets you register your child with a GP

There's no cost for these documents.