Registering a Birth

Birth Registration Card

 

If your baby is born at home or in hospital, the midwife should give you a birth registration card or form. When you visit or call in to register the birth of your baby, the registrar will ask you for this card or form.

 

 

Who Can Register the Birth of a Baby?

• If the parents of the baby are married to each other, either the mother or the father can register the birth.
• If the parents of the baby are not married to each other, and want both parents' names on the birth certificate, normally they should go to the registrar's office together.
• Or, both parents can make statuatory declarations to allow the birth to be registered if only one parent can go to the registrar's office.*
• If the father's name is not going to be on the birth certificate, he does not need to come to the office.

* You can get statutory declaration forms from any registrar's office.

 

 

Where Can I Register a Birth?

• If a birth occurs in Scotland, then you are required to register the birth in Scotland.
• As from 1 January 2007, you can register the birth of your baby at any registration office in Scotland.
• You may register the birth of your baby in any of the Registation Offices in Falkirk if your baby was born in Scotland.

Details of the local registration offices can be found here|.

 

 

When Must I Register the Birth?

• The law says you must register the birth within 21 days of your baby being born.
• If you cannot come to the Registration Office within 21 days, please contact your local registrar to ask for a possible extension to this period.

 

What Documents Do I Need?

 

You will need to take with you, if available:

• Your marriage certificate (if you are married to the other parent) and
• Your birth certificates

The Registrar will ask you for the following information:

• The full name you are giving the baby.
• The date, time and place of birth.
• The parents' full names and occupations and mother's maiden name.
• The parents' date and place of marriage (if appropriate).
• The parents' date and country of birth.

 

What Documents Will I Recieve?

 

Once we have registered the birth, the registrar will give you:

• An abbreviated birth certificate (which will show you the full name, date, time and place pf the birth of your baby); and
• An EC58 (which your doctor will need to register your baby with the National Health Service).

You will not need to pay for these documents.

 

 

How Much Will Registration Cost?

 

Registration is free of charge. However if you would like a full birth certificate which will show all the details held in the birth register, you can get this from the birth registrar for a statutory fee.