Birth Registration

Registration for all births will now be completed via a face to face appointment. Please telephone and appointments made with either our Civic Centre or Bathgate Offices. Please contact our offices on 01506 281897 or 01506 282914 to arrange an appointment.

When and where can I register a Birth?

A birth must be registered within 21 days of it's occurrence

If the birth took place in Scotland it must be registered in any Registration Offices in Scotland.

Please note, it is now necessary to book an appointment to attend our Livingston or Bathgate Registration Offices to register a birth. If you require any additional information or advice or would like to book an appointment please call either 01506 281894 or 01506 282197.

Please avoid all offices between 1pm - 2..00pm as we may have to close for lunch.

Who can register a birth?

If the parents are married to each other, either parent may attend however, you must bring your marriage certificate.

If the parents are not married,

• Both parents must attend so the father/parents name can be recorded in the register.
• The mother can register the birth herself.

Please contact the Registrar for advice, if both parents cannot attend together.

What documents do I need?

• The hospital will issue you with a birth card.
• If applicable the parents marriage certificate.
• If not married the parents birth certificates if available.

Choosing a Name

The National Records of Scotland (opens new window)  publish an annual list of the most popular boys and girls names.

Once the Birth is registered

There is no fee to register a birth. After registration the Registrar will issue

• An EC58 form - This is required to register the baby with an NHS doctor at your local surgery.
• An abbreviated birth certificate.

A full birth certificate purchased at the time or within one month of registration will cost £10.00. Thereafter £15.00.

Pregnancy and Baby Payment

The Pregnancy and Baby Payment helps eligible families with the expenses of having a new child. It is a £600 payment for a first child and £300 for other children.

Normally people can only apply for the Pregnancy and Baby Payment from 24 weeks pregnant up to 6 months after the baby was born.

During these challenging times, Social Security Scotland is accepting applications that are made after this timescale, if the reason for the delay in applying is due to COVID-19.

The Pregnancy and Baby Payment and Funeral Support Payment also provide support for people whose baby died after being born, and for people who have had a stillbirth where the baby was born after the beginning of the 24th week of pregnancy.

How to contact Social Security Scotland

Check if you are eligible for a payment, and apply online at mygov.scot/benefits

You can also apply over the phone by calling 0800 182 2222 and requesting a call back.

For general enquiries, Social Security Scotland is now offering a web chat service between 8 am - 6 pm Monday to Friday, which can be accessed at mygov.scot/contact-social-security-scotland

There is also a new online document upload function for clients to send in evidence to support an application, which can be accessed at documents.socialsecurity.gov.scot/evidence_submission