Any birth which occurs in Scotland must be registered within 21 days. This can be done with any registration office in Scotland.

Who can register a birth?

When the parents are married or in a civil partnership, the child's mother, father or second female parent can register the birth.

If the parents are not married or in a civil partnership, the father or second female parent can only be recorded if:

• Both parents are available at the time of the booked appointment
• They sign declarations
• A court declares parentage

Parental Responsibilities and Rights (PRRs) for the child are automatically given to both parents if registered together. These Parental Responsibilities and rights can only be removed by order of a court.

How to make an appointment

Please call our office to arrange your appointment:

• Monday to Friday:  9:30am - 12:30pm and 1:30pm - 4:30pm

Registrations will take place remotely, which means that a birth registration will take place over the telephone. If a phone call is not suitable, please advise when making your appointment.

If you need to change or cancel your appointment, please contact us as soon as possible.

What documents do I need for birth registration?

You may be requested to provide the following documents by email:

• The birth registration card that was issued by the hospital or midwife showing details of the baby and information about how to register the birth
• Parents' marriage or civil partnership certificate
• Parents' birth certificate(s)

What we will give you

After the birth has been registered, we will give you the following forms free of charge:

• A form to give to the health centre to register your baby with a doctor (EC58)
• An abbreviated birth certificate
• If you wish you can also enrol your child for their very own library card - My 1st Library Card

If you would like a full birth certificate, you will be able to purchase one for the statutory fee.

Financial assistance

You are entitled to Child Benefit for your child and possibly the Best Start Grant and Scottish Child Payment too.

Best Start Grant

Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods are payments that help towards the costs of being pregnant or looking after a child. You may be able to get Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods if you or your partner meet all these conditions:

• live in Scotland
• are pregnant or have a child who’s the right age for a payment
• are the main person looking after the child
• get certain benefits or payments

Scottish Child Payment

Scottish Child Payment helps towards the costs of supporting your family. It's a weekly payment that you can get for every child you look after who's under 16 years of age. You'll get the payment every 4 weeks if your application is successful.

Child Benefit

You'll usually get Child Benefit for children you're responsible for. Only one person can receive Child Benefit for each child.