Who can register a birth in Scotland?
Warning
You need to make an appointment at a
registrar's office to register a birth. You have 21 days to do this from the day of a child's birth.
Married or civil partner parents
If you're the child's mother, father or second female parent – you can register the birth and be named as a parent.
Unmarried parents
If the parents are not married or in a civil partnership, the father or second female parent can only sign and be named in the register as a parent if:
- the parents sign the register together
- they sign declarations
Registering a joint birth
A child's parents are both given parental responsibilities and rights (PRRs) if they register the child's birth together and both of their names appear on the birth certificate. Find out about joint birth registration.
Registering a birth if you're not a parent
The following people can also register a birth:
- the birth mother's relatives
- the relatives of someone who is married to or in a civil partnership with the birth mother
- anyone present at the birth
- a person who lives in a house where the child was born
- anyone who is fully taking care of the child
- anyone with knowledge of the birth
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