Registering births

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In this section you will find answers to all the questions you may have when registering a birth.

Where a birth can be registered 

If a baby was born in Scotland, the birth may be registered at any of the Registration Offices in East Ayrshire.

If the baby was born, for example, in England but you live in Scotland, the baby's birth would have to be registered in England.

Making an appointment 

All registration offices in East Ayrshire operate an appointment system.  You can also book an appointment online.

Registering the birth

The mother or the father can register the birth if the parents are married to each other. If the parents are not married, the mother must be present. If the father is acknowledging paternity and he wishes his name to be put on the child's birth certificate, he will also have to attend the registration.

You must register within 21 days, although the Registrar may allow a little longer in certain circumstances. Whatever the reason, every effort must be made to have the birth registered within 3 months. The parents must however keep in touch with the Registrar during this period.

Documents required

If you are married to the baby's father, you need to bring your Marriage Certificate. If your baby was born in hospital, bring the card the hospital gives you. This will have on it the baby's date and time of birth.

Cost 

Registration is free and an abbreviated extract of the birth is also given free at the time of registration. A full certificate given at the time of registration or within 1 month of registration will cost £10.00. Any certificate outwith 1 month of registration will cost £15.00.

Baby's surname 

The birth may be registered in your surname, or the birth may be registered in the father's surname without his consent provided that his name and other details do not appear on the birth entry. The birth may be registered in the mother's surname OR the father's surname with the father's full name and surname appearing in the birth entry with the following conditions:

Surname - conditions to enable father's full name to be recorded on birth entry

1. if the father attends the registration office with you
   or

2. if he completes a statutory declaration before a Justice of the Peace 
   or

3. if the mother gives to the Registrar a decree of paternity granted by a court, naming that person as the father of the child. 

Statutory declaration

There are special forms available from the Registrar. You must have it signed and witnessed by a Justice of the Peace before it is accepted by the Registrar.

 

Contact Information