Your life

Your questions on registering a birth

1. Can I put the father's name on the birth certificate, without him being present?

In certain circumstances this may be possible. If there is good reason why he cannot attend the registration office with the child's mother, he may complete a Statutory Declaration. A father who is not married to the mother can only register the birth and be named in the register as the father if one of the following happens: he jointly signs the register with the mother; he and the mother sign declarations (these are available from the Registrar) that he is the father; or if a court declares that he is the father and the mother registers the birth.

2. Can I register a birth at any registrar's office?

By law, you can now register the birth of a child born in Scotland at any registrars office in Scotland.

3. Can I use any surname for my child?

Parents may register a child using a different surname from their own. However, it must be pointed out that this may cause difficulty or embarrassment to the child in the future.

4. Can my child's name be recorded showing grammatical accents?

Yes, where the names given to the child include grammatical accents such as acutes or graves, then these can be included in the birth register.

5. Do I need an appointment to register a birth?

If you don't want to risk having to wait, it is advisable to make an appointment to register a birth.

6. How can I add the name of the father to my child's birth certificate?

If the name of the natural father is omitted from a birth certificate, this may be added if certain conditions are met. A father who is not married to the mother can only register the birth and be named in the register as the father if one of the following happens: he jointly signs the register with the mother; he and the mother sign declarations (these are available from the Registrar) that he is the father; or if a court declares that he is the father and the mother registers the birth. You should make an appointment with your local registrar, taking the birth certificate with you. The registrar will advise you of the best way to proceed.

7. How long do I have to register the birth of a child?

A birth must be registered within 21 days. However, in exceptional circumstances (for example if the mother is ill or the father is unavailable), a short postponement can be arranged in consultation with the registrar.

8. How much does it cost to register a birth?

Registration of a birth is free and an abbreviated extract of the birth (i.e. one that doesn't name the parents) is also given free at the time of registration. A full birth certificate purchased at the time or within the same year of registration will incur a small fee.

9. Is an abbreviated birth certificate sufficient for passport purposes?

No, an abbreviated birth certificate is not suitable for passport purposes. You must have a full birth certificate if you want to apply for a passport.

10. What are the penalties for giving false information to a registrar?

Giving false information is a serious offence. Any person who knowingly gives false information in a material particular to a registrar is liable: a) on conviction on indictment, to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or to both; b) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding Level 3 on the standard scale or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months, or to both.

11. What do I need to bring with me in order to register a birth?

After the birth, the hospital, doctor or midwife will issue a form containing details of the birth and information about how to register the birth. This form should be taken to the registrar, to allow the birth to be registered. If the parents are married to each other, please bring your marriage certificate with you. If you do not have a certificate, please note that you must be able to provide the registrar with the date and place of your marriage.

12. When I register the birth of a baby, what names can I give him/her?

Your baby may be given any surname when the birth is registered. Naturally, most parents register the surname of the mother or the father. You can give the baby any forename(s) you wish (with a few exceptions).

13. Where can I get an address for a registration office in Scotland?

The General Register Office of Scotland (www.gro-scotland.gov.uk) has information on all Scottish registration offices. You can also check in the phone book, the Yellow Pages (look under Registration Offices or Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages) or the doctor/hospital can tell you.

14. Who can register a birth?

One of the child's parents must register the birth of their child. If the parents are married to each other, only one parent need visit the registrar and either the mother or father can register the birth. If the parents are not married to each other it is the mother's duty to register the birth. Where both parents' names are to appear on the birth entry but the parents are not married, both parents should visit the registrar, together, to register the birth. If either unmarried parent is unable to be present at the time of registration, the non-attending parent should complete a Statutory Declaration and contact the registrar, who will explain how the birth may be registered. In the case of the death or inability of the father or mother to register the birth, the following persons can register the birth: any relative of the mother or father, being a relative who has knowledge of the birth; the occupier of the premises in which, to the knowledge of that occupier, the child was born; any person present at the birth; any person having charge of the child.

15. Do your registrar offices open at weekends?

Registration offices do not open for normal registration business on weekends although some offices will be open by prior arrangement on a Saturday for marriage ceremonies.

16. Why can't I sign the register page with my own pen?

The ink used for registers must be of a quality to ensure a clear and permanent record. Ballpoint pen ink can fade in time and can also be erased. Using the pen provided by the registrar ensures security and longevity of your signature.