When and where can a birth be registered?
A birth can be registered either in the registration district where the birth took place or at the registration office in the district of the mother’s usual residence (only if the usual residence is in Scotland).

Who can register a birth?
In the case of the birth of a child whose parents are married to each other, either the mother or father can register the birth.

Where the parents are not married to each other the mother should either:-

• register the birth herself; or
• be accompanied by the father where his name is to be recorded in the register.  (Please contact the registrar, who can offer further advice, should there be circumstances where both parents cannot attend together).

In exceptional circumstances it may be possible for another relative/person to register the birth, but you should contact the registrar in advance for advice.

Documents to take when registering a birth

• the birth card issued by the hospital giving the child’s date and time of birth;
• the marriage certificate of the child’s parents (if they are married to each other)

Do not worry if any of these documents are not available as the registrar can still proceed to register the birth.

Documents issued by the registrar once a birth is registered
There is no charge to register a birth and the registrar will issue an abbreviated birth certificate (which does not show details of parentage) free of charge.  You can obtain a full extract of the birth entry (showing details of parentage) for a fee of £8.50.  A form to register the child with a doctor will also be issued.  This form should be taken to a doctor’s surgery.