• When and where should a birth be registered?
• Who registers a birth?
• Documents to be produced when registering a birth
• Documents issued by the registrar at the time of birth registration

A birth must be registered within 21 days.  In exceptional circumstances a short postponement can be arranged in consultation with the registrars.

A birth can be registered either in the district where it takes place or at the registration office in the district of the mother's usual residence (only if the usual residence is in Scotland).

Who registers 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 register, who can offer further advice, should there be circumstances where both parents cannot attend together.)

Only in exceptional circumstances it is possible for another relative to register the birth, you should contact the registrar in advance for advice.

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Documents to be produced when registering a birth

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

Please note that the registration can still proceed if the above certificates are unavailable.

Documents issued by the registrar at the time of birth registration

• Abbreviated birth certificate which shows the child's name, date and place of birth (free of charge),
• Form EC58 containing the child's National Health Service Number which should be submitted to the family doctor.
• A full birth certificate can be purchased for the statutory fee.  This shows details of parentage.