Registering a Birth

Congratulations on the birth of your baby. This webpage will provide information and guidance to help you through the registration process.

Update 7 May 2024

Scottish Government legislation was changed on 24 September 2022 surrounding the registration of Births and parents are now permitted to register their child's birth remotely. 

From 18 March 2024 all our birth registrations will now be carried out remotely, over the phone and you should not attend the office in person.

Our service continues to be busy, therefore please do not worry if your booked appointment takes you slightly over the 21 day statutory timeframe in which you should register a birth.

We operate a strict appointment schedule and ask that you and all other relevant persons i.e. Mum, Dad, Parent, Friend (acting as interpreter), if applicable, are all available at the time of your booked appointment.  If we are unable to contact all of you and/or complete the registration, you may need to re-arrange your appointment online. Please also ensure when completing your contact details that this information is accurate.

What do I need to know?

Births need to be registered within 21 days.

If the event took place out with Scotland it must be registered in the country the birth took place.

Who can register a birth?

If the baby's parents are married to one another, or in a registered civil partnership with each other then either parent can act as the informant and register the birth.

If the baby's parents are not married to one another, or in a registered civil partnership with each other, then the mother must register the birth, as the primary informant. If the father/parent's name is also to be included on the registration documents, then both parents should be available at the time of the booked appointment, either together or contactable via a conference call. Please note the appointment is normally 20 minutes.   If this is not possible, please contact genreg@glasgow.gov.uk for advice.

Appointments are carried out in English. If you need help with this, please arrange for a friend or family member to be available at the time of your booked appointment, either to be present with you or contactable by phone to translate. Please note if parents are not married to each other, you cannot act as an interpreter for each other and you must arrange for someone else to translate.

If you are unable to arrange for someone to act as an Interpreter, then please call 0141 287 7655 to complete this appointment.  Please note this phone line is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9.00am - 12.30pm. 

For more information please visit NRS - Births.

Parental Responsibilities and Rights:

• A child's parents are both given equal parental responsibilities and rights if both parents' names appear on the child's birth registration.

More information is available in the Scottish Government publication 'Family Matters'.

What documents do I need to register a birth?

When registering a birth, you must have the following available for your appointment:

• The birth registration card issued by the hospital or midwife
• Your marriage/ civil partnership certificate (if applicable/available)
• Your birth certificate(s) (if available)

What documents will I receive once the registration is completed?

• An abbreviated birth certificate, which is issued free of charge
• A form (EC58) to register your child with a doctor

A full birth certificate can be purchased for a statutory fee of £10.00 per copy at the time of the appointment.

How do I pay?

Glasgow City Council now operates a cashless payment system. Payment can be made over the phone at the time of your appointment by credit or debit card at the end of the registration using our Call Secure system.

How do I make an appointment?

Please use the online booking system to make an appointment to register a birth. We advise you to book an appointment as far in advance as possible.

Appointments are available Monday - Friday (9.00am - 3.40pm) with the exception of Public Holidays. Appointments usually last around 15 to 20 minutes.

Where can I register a birth?

Birth registrations can be registered at any registration office in Scotland - if your home address is out with Glasgow or you live nearer another office then you can arrange to register your child there. Click here to find contact details for all other registration offices in Scotland.

If you have made an appointment in Glasgow to register a birth, please note this will now be carried out remotely, over the phone.

Please arrange an appointment with one office only - do not make duplicate appointments as this will lead to further delays.

What happens if I am late for my appointment?

You should be available at the time of your booked appointment.

If we are unable to contact you and/or complete the registration, you may need to re-arrange your appointment online.

Can I cancel or reschedule an appointment?

Your confirmation email will include instructions on how to cancel or reschedule your appointment.

If you arrange an appointment and it is no longer suitable, then please ensure to cancel or reschedule as soon as possible as this will release this slot for someone else. We have a very limited number of appointments and welcome your assistance in keeping to our schedule/time allocated.

Contact Us

For all other birth registration enquiries that are not listed above please email Us.

Related Content

Documents

• Penalty Notice (PDF) [116KB] (opens new window)
• Family Payment Factsheet (PDF) [99KB] (opens new window)
• National Records of Scotland - Privacy Notice for Births, Deaths, Marriages, Civil Partnerships (PDF) [101KB] (opens new window)
• Library Membership Privacy Statement (PDF) [114KB] (opens new window)