Register a birth

Register a child remotely

From 24 September 2022 Scottish Government has changed legislation surrounding the registration of Births.  Parents are now permitted to register their child’s birth remotely.

Your appointment with the City of Edinburgh Registration Service will either be a telephone call or you can use the video conference service Microsoft Teams.

 All the other legislation and guidance regarding registration of births remains unchanged.

1. Births, by law, must be registered within 21 days of occurrence
2. Registration can be carried out in any registration office in Scotland. Check your local council’s website for arrangements.
3. The City of Edinburgh Council operate an appointment system.

Your telephone or Microsoft Teams appointment

1. The appointment should last no more than 10 to 15 minutes.
2. If you have to change your appointment email registrars.city@edinburgh.gov.uk.
3. You will be given the opportunity to prepay for any full birth certificates you require when making your appointment.
4. If you have selected Microsoft Teams we will send you over an invite link to access.
5. If you have selected telephone you must make sure your number is correct.

When registration is complete the Registrar will supply you with the following documentation

• abbreviated extract of the birth entry (free)
• EC58 form for the medical centre (free)

You will be given the opportunity to purchase full extract(s) for the statutory fee when making your appointment.  The extract will be posted to you after your appointment.  Extracts can be purchased at any time.

When parents are married or in a registered civil partnership with each other it is the duty of either parent to speak to the registrar to register the birth.

If the parents are not married or in a registered civil partnership you need to be on the telephone call or Teams call with each other:

The mother may register the birth on her own, if she does not wish the father or parent’s name to appear on the entry.

If the father or parent’s name is to be on the entry, both parents should speak to the registrar together to register the birth.  If this is not possible please email registrars.city@edinburgh.gov.uk

Parental Responsibilities and Rights (PRRs) for the child are automatically given to both parents if registered together.  These Parental Responsibilities and Rights can only be removed by order of a court.

View further information including how to obtains PRRs for existing children or call 0131 244 3581 or seek independent legal advice before registering this birth

If the parents of the baby are not married or in a civil partnership they must be together at the time of telephone or Teams appointment if both names are to appear on the birth certificate. 

It would be helpful to complete the details to be entered into a register form prior to your appointment and upload it to your booking. Further information is contained in your booking email.

As part of improving our service we will seek feedback via text message inviting you to complete a short survey.

Book your appointment 

Becoming a parent may mean you are entitled to certain payments from Scottish Government or the Department for Work and Pensions to help with the costs of being a parent. You can find out more at the Advice Shop