Births - Questions and Answers
Do I need to make an appointment to register a birth?
Yes you do, please use our online booking form to check availability for your local office. If can not find a suitable date or time, please contact your local Registrar.
Can I use any surname for my child?
Yes as long as it is not used for fraudulent purposes or objectionable
Can my child's name be recorded showing grammatical accents?
Yes, it is important to have the correct accents applied to a name to ensure there are no issues in the future.
How much does it cost to register a birth?
This Service is free of charge
How much does it cost to change a name on a birth certificate?
The cost is £40.00
How can I add the name of the father to my child's birth certificate?
This can be quite complex and you should contact the Registrar's office for guidance
We were not married when our baby was born but we are now. Can our baby's birth entry be amended?
Yes you can as long as the birth was registered in Scotland detailed advice can be obtained from any Registrar's office in Scotland or by link to National Records of Scotland.
When I register a birth, what names can I give him/her?
Any name as long as it is not objectionable
Do we need to attend in person at the Registration Office?
No, appointments can be held over the phone, if parents are in separate locations we can call both parents at the same time.
Does the father or other parent of the child have to attend to register the birth?
If the parents of the child are married or in a civil partnership only one parent needs to attend. However if the parents are not married or in a civil partnership and both names are to appear in the entry then both parents needs to be present at the appointment.
If I am not married to the father can I put his name on the birth certificate without him being present?
Yes , a Statutory Declaration before a local councillor or notary public may be made by either parent to enable the birth to be registered on the information of one parent alone. These forms are available from any Registration office and must be completed prior to registration.
I know I have 21 days to register my baby's birth, what happens if I cannot attend within this timeframe?
Please contact your local Registrar and they can discuss your options with you. If you fail to make contact you will be sent a First Reminder to attend.
