Registering a Birth
Congratulations on the birth of your baby. Now the baby has
finally arrived, here are some guidelines to help you through the
process of registering your child's birth.
When and Where Should Your Baby's Birth be Registered?
You have until your baby is 21 days old to register the
birth. If the birth took place within Scotland, you can
register at any Registration Office in Scotland.
Who Should Register the Birth?
In the case of the birth of a child whose parents are married to
each other, either the father or mother can register the
birth.
Where the parents are not married to each other:
- The mother should register the birth herself, or
- If the father's name is to be entered in the register,
both the father and mother should attend for the
registration. (should there be circumstances where both
parents cannot attend together, please contact the Registrar for
advice)
Only in exceptional circumstances is it possible for another
relative to register the birth. You should contact the Registrar in
advance for advice.
Documents to be Produced When Registering the Birth
- The birth card issued by the hospital, giving the child's date
and time of birth;
- The parents' marriage certificate (if married to each
other)
If using the Tell Us Once service (a service
that notifies relevant central and local government departments of
the birth)
- National Insurance number/s for the person/s to be named on the
birth registrar
- Details of any benefits the person/s to be named on the birth
register are receiving/have applied for
- Completed Child Benefit form
Documents Issued by the Registrar at the Time of
Registration
- An Abbreviated Birth Certificate is issued free of charge at
the time of registration, which shows your child's name, date and
place of birth.
- Form EC58, containing your child's National Health Service
Number, which should be submitted to your family doctor.
- A full Birth Certificate, containing details of parentage, can
be purchased for a statutory fee; £10.00 at time of
registration or within one month, £15.00 after this (unless
an Abbreviated or full certificate is produced at time of
purchase). Please be advised - in order to obtain a passport,
a full Birth Certificate is required.
