National Records of Scotland
National Records of Scotland are responsible for:
- registration of life events
- carrying out Scotland’s census every 10 years
- conserving records for public and legal bodies, and some private archives
- supporting people carrying out research, including family history research
Services
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Apply for a Royal Anniversary Message
Get a special message from the King for a 60th, 65th or 70th or higher wedding anniversary. -
Change a name on the public register
Information on how to change your name or change your child's name on the public register. -
Changing a civil partnership to a marriage
Information on changing a civil partnership to a marriage. -
Finding a will
How to find a will if someone dies. -
Get a missing person declared dead
Get a declaration of presumed death if a person has been missing for at least 7 years or you think they've died. -
Help after the death of a partner
What you need to do and what help you can get after the death of your husband, wife or partner. -
Marriage and civil partnerships in Scotland
How to get married or get a civil partnership in Scotland, including who can do it and how to register. -
Marriage and civil partnerships outside of Scotland
Getting married outside of Scotland including within the UK and abroad. -
Order a copy of a birth, death or marriage certificate
Order an official birth, marriage or death certificate if you need a copy or want to research your family tree. -
Register a birth
Find out who needs to register a birth and how and where to do it. -
Register a death
Find out how to register a death in Scotland, elsewhere in the UK or abroad. -
Registering a stillbirth
Information on how to register a stillbirth and what support is available for you. -
What to do when someone dies
The steps you must take when someone dies – register a death, the procurator fiscal, funerals and bereavement support.