You appear to be using an unsupported browser, and it may not be able to display this site properly. You may wish to upgrade your browser.

We use cookies to collect anonymous data to help us improve your site browsing experience.

Click 'Accept all cookies' to agree to all cookies that collect anonymous data. To only allow the cookies that make the site work, click 'Use essential cookies only.' Visit 'Set cookie preferences' to control specific cookies.

Set cookie preferences

Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

Order a copy of a birth, death or marriage certificate

Last updated
12 Nov 2021

Order a copy certificate online

You can order a certificate online from the ScotlandsPeople website. You need to create an account first on the ScotlandsPeople website. 

ScotlandsPeople can only process online orders right now. They cannot process any orders made in another way.

Opening hours

The online service is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 4.30pm.

Order a copy certificate from your local council

You can order a copy certificate from your local council registration service. This service from your local council may be affected by Covid.

You can get more information from the registration section of your local council website.

Aberdeen City Council Aberdeenshire Council Angus Council Argyll and Bute Council Clackmannanshire Council Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council) Dumfries and Galloway Council Dundee City Council East Ayrshire Council East Dunbartonshire Council East Lothian Council East Renfrewshire Council Edinburgh Council Falkirk Council Fife Council Glasgow City Council The Highland Council Inverclyde Council Midlothian Council Moray Council North Ayrshire Council North Lanarkshire Council Orkney Islands Council Perth & Kinross Council Renfrewshire Council Scottish Borders Council South Ayrshire Council South Lanarkshire Council Shetland Council Stirling Council West Dunbartonshire Council West Lothian Council

Copy certificates you can order

You can order certificates of:

  • birth
  • death
  • marriage
  • divorce
  • civil partnership
  • dissolution of civil partnership

Fees for copy certificates 

  • 1 certificate - £12 (any type)
  • each extra copy - £10 (must be same certificate and ordered at same time)

Priority service 

The priority service costs £15 for each certificate plus the certificate fees. 

If you order many copies of the same certificate at the same time, you only pay the priority service fee for the first certificate. 

How long the order takes

It usually takes 15 working days to get a copy certificate.

But orders are taking longer than usual to right now due to coronavirus and may take longer than this.

Urgent certificate orders

For urgent orders you should order a certificate online.

Once you've ordered you should contact ScotlandsPeople on the website to give details of the urgent order.

Adoption birth certificates and no trace divorce letters

This includes urgent orders for adoption birth certificates and no trace divorce letters.

Someone from ScotlandsPeople will then contact you about the urgent order.

Census and old parish records

You cannot order copies of these online right now.

You should contact ScotlandsPeople to find out about these.

Further information

You can get further information about copy certificates and records from:

Back to top