Registering a birth

If your baby was born in Scotland, you must register the birth within 21 days. We can do this with you over the phone or, if needed, in person. Registering the birth creates an official record and lets you get a birth certificate and access health and education services for your child.

Where and how to register

We register births that took place in Scotland only.

Most registrations are done by phone. If you need to visit us in person, you can ask for an appointment at our Registration Office at Council Headquarters in Hamilton by emailing registration@southlanarkshire.gov.uk.

If you are booking on someone else’s behalf, please check that an appointment has not already been made.

What to do before your appointment

Before your appointment, please take a photo or scan of the card given to you by the hospital or doctor and email it to registration@southlanarkshire.gov.uk. Include the date and time of your appointment. If possible, also include your child’s full name, including any middle names.

If you cannot send a photo or scan of the card, email us to confirm where and when the birth took place. This helps us check the details with the hospital in advance.

After the registration, we will tell you how to mark the birth card to show the birth has been registered.

Who can register a birth

If the parents are married or in a registered civil partnership with each other, either parent can register the birth.

If the parents are not married or in a registered civil partnership, the mother must register the birth. If you want both parents’ details on the full birth certificate, we must speak to both of you at the same time during the appointment.

If this is not possible, please email registration@southlanarkshire.gov.uk for advice.

Costs and certificates

You will receive one free abbreviated birth certificate and a form for the National Health Service. The abbreviated certificate shows the child’s name, sex, date and place of birth.

A full birth certificate, which includes parents’ details, costs £10. You will need the full birth certificate to register your child for nursery or school.

You can order extra copies later.