Birth Registration

Registration of Births (update 24 June)

In late March, registration of births was temporarily suspended to allow registrars to focus on the registration of deaths and still-births. From June 29, 2020, in phase 2 of the Routemap through and out of the COVID-19 crisis, registration offices will begin to reopen to allow high-priority activities to take place.

As from 29th June 2020 birth registrations will take place in our office by appointment only.

We have a list of parents who have contacted us and we will be in touch with an appointment to register the birth of your child.

Please make sure you have the letter registering the birth of your baby, and also if married you will need your marriage extract. If not married both parents will need their birth extracts.

If you have not already been in touch, please give us a call on 01382 435222 or email registrars@dundeecity.gov.uk your name will be added to the list in order we can make an appointment for you in due course.

Dundee registration office will work to ensure that births are registered as quickly as possible, but your patience will be much appreciated as the backlog of registrations is processed.

Where and When to Register a Birth

A birth occurring in Scotland must be registered in Scotland. A birth occurring in Scotland may be registered in any District, regardless of where the birth occurred. An appointment must be made for birth registrations.

Who may Register a Birth ?

A birth must be registered by one of the child's parents. In a case where the parents are married to each other, only one parent need visit the registrar and either the mother or father may choose to register the birth.

Where the parents are not married to each other but both parents' names are to appear on the birth entry, both parents should visit the registrar together, to register the birth. If either parent is unable to be present at the time of registration, the parents should contact the registrar, who will explain how the birth may be registered. If the father's name is not to appear on the child's birth certificate, the mother should register the birth alone.

A woman who is not married to, or in a civil partnership with, the mother can only register the birth and be named in the register as parent if the provisions of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 apply to them and:

She jointly signs the register with the mother;
She and the mother sign declarations (these are available from the registrar) that she is the parent; or
A court declares that she is the parent and the mother registers the birth.

In a situation where the mother has decided to register the birth alone but both parents later wish the natural father's name to be added, this may be done at any time in the future. Any local registrar will explain how this may be done.

What Documents are Required ?

After the birth, the hospital, doctor or midwife will issue a form or card containing details of the birth and information about how to register the birth. This should be presented to the registrar, to allow the birth to be registered. If the parents are married to each other, it would be helpful to take their marriage certificate when the birth is to be registered

What Documents Will you Receive ?

After the birth has been registered, the registrar will provide you with the following documents:

Abbreviated certificate of birth. This is free of charge and may be used for most purposes.
A form (EC58) to register your child with your doctor. Again this is provided free of charge.
Full extracts, or certificates, of the birth at a cost of £10.00 per certificate.

In addition, Dundee Registrars' Office will supply you with:

A folder in which to keep your child's birth certificate. This is free of charge.

Surnames and Forenames

A child may be given any surname when the birth is registered. Naturally, most parents register the surname of the mother or the father/parent. It is also quite common to hyphenate both parents surnames, to create a surname for the child which includes both parents' surnames.

Lists of forenames registered in Dundee are available for you to browse through:

For full lists of babies' first names visit the National Records of Scotland website.

Contact Details and Opening Hours for Dundee Registrar's office

Birth Registration

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Related Links

Dundee City Council