Register a birth
All births in Scotland must be registered within 21 days of the child being born.
You can register a new birth at any Scottish registration office. This page explains how to register a birth in Aberdeenshire.
Who can register a birth
Parents married or in a civil partnership
If the baby's parents are married to each other or are in a registered civil partnership, only one parent needs to register the birth. Either parent can complete the online form and subsequent phone calls.
Unmarried parents
If the parents are not married to each other and are not in a registered civil partnership, they must both take part in the birth registration appointment to have a father/parent named on the birth entry.
If the birth is registered only by the mother, the father/parent’s details will only be shown if either:
- a statutory declaration has been signed in the presence of someone who can administer oaths
- if a court has declared that a person is the father/parent of the child
The father/second parent can't complete the registration without the mother of the child present unless a statutory declaration has been signed in the presence of someone who can administer oaths.
In either of these circumstances, please phone us for advice on 01467 468468.
Person registering is not a parent
If neither parent is available to complete the birth registration for the new baby, please contact us on 01467 468468 for advice on how to proceed.
What you need to provide
You will need to provide a copy of the registrars information sheet. This is an A4 sheet showing the baby's details issued by the maternity hospital or midwife.
If you are not sure that you have the correct documents, please phone us on 01467 468468.
If you plan to purchase any full birth extracts, please also have a payment card ready.
What we will provide you with
After registration has been completed we will give you the following documents:
- Abbreviated birth extract showing the baby's full name, date, and place of birth - this is free of charge and can be used to send with your child benefit application
- EC58 form which you will need to give to the GP practice your baby will be registered with
- Full birth extract showing the parent's names (if purchased)
Request a birth registration
To begin the registration process you will be asked to fill in the online request form, upload a copy of the registrars information sheet, and pay for a full birth extract (if you would like one).
View privacy notices relating to birth registration and naming ceremonies.
Please note, due to change in legislation, birth registration can be done remotely via telephone call and face to face appointments are no longer required.
What happens after
On receipt of your online form we will email you a link to book an appointment for your registration call (you should receive this link within 24 hours). During the call the registrar will collect and verify all relevant information relating to the registration. If the baby’s parents are unmarried, both parents should participate in this phone call. If you can't be in the same location, your registrar will be able to set up a conference call to two separate telephone numbers.