A baby born in Scotland can be registered in any Registrars office in Scotland. Births cannot be registered in Scotland unless the baby was born in Scotland.
A birth must be registered within 21 days of the baby being born.
You must bring with you the birth card provided by the hospital where baby was born. If you do not have the birth card, you may have to make another appointment.
From September 2022 the Law in Scotland has changed. Parents now have the choice to register the birth remotely or in-person.
Remote registration, involves the registration taking place with the parent(s) and the registrar via the telephone. Your registration documents will be posted to you. Before the remote registration can take place a photo of the birth card will have to be emailed to the registrar.
In-person registration involves the parent(s) attending the office to sign the register page and collect the registration documents.
Same sex parent's details can only be inserted in the register if the provisions of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 apply.
For more information see the Human Fertilisation Embryology Authority website.
Most registration services are by appointment only, for further information please contact us.