How to register a birth, stillbirth or death
How to register a birth, stillbirth or death
Register a birth
When the parents are married or in a registered civil partnership either of them can register the birth. If they're not, and want both of their names to be on the birth certificate, they need to attend together.
Registering a birth on your own
A mother who isn't married or in a civil partnership can register the birth on her own if she doesn't want the father's/parent’s name to appear on the certificate.
If the father/parent’s name is to be on the entry, both parents should attend the office together to register the birth. If this is not possible, please email us at registrar@stirling.gov.uk
Parental Responsibilities and Rights
Parental Responsibilities and Rights (PRRs) for the child are 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 224 3581, email family.law@scotland.gsi.gov.uk 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 come together to the appointment if both names are to appear on the birth certificate.
When registration is complete
The Registrar will give you, free of charge:
- an abbreviated birth certificate
- form EC58 to let you register your child with a GP
You can also buy a full birth certificate for the statutory fee. You can do this at your appointment or at any time after.
Naming ceremony
Some parents may wish to hold a naming ceremony to acknowledge the birth of their child. This is a non-statutory and non-religious event. The Registrar can conduct a naming ceremony at our registration offices or approved venues.
There is a fee for this service which is inclusive of a pre-ceremony consultation, ceremony and certificate. Please contact the Registrar who will advise you on this.
Register a stillbirth
What to expect
We understand that registering a still birth is a distressing time. Please call your chosen Registrars office and we'll talk you through the process, advising what we'll need from you and what you can expect from us at this difficult time.
Who can register a stillbirth
A still-birth in Scotland must be registered in Scotland within 21 days and can be registered at any registration office in Scotland.
If the parents of the child are married to each other, either can register the stillbirth.
The mother can register the stillbirth on her own if the parents are not married to each other. Where the parents are not married to each other and the father wants to acknowledge paternity, he should attend with the mother.
Registration can only be performed by someone other than the parents of the child under special circumstances.
If the father acknowledges paternity but is unable to attend the registration office their details can still be recorded. They will need to complete a statutory declaration for the mother to hand over to the registrar. The registration can take place once the mother has signed a declaration in the presence of the registrar.
If the mother is unable to attend the registration office and the parents are not married to each other, the father needs to hand over a statutory declaration signed by the mother to the registrar. The registration can take place once the father/parent has signed a declaration in the presence of the registrar.
What we need from you
Your doctor or midwife will give you a certificate of stillbirth. We'll also need details of the parents, including full names and dates of birth. Your birth and marriage certificates, if applicable, will be helpful though they're not essential.
What we'll provide
We'll give you a Form 8 for the Funeral Director and if you wish, a full certificate of the entry in the Register. There is no charge for either of these.
Register a death
Deaths in Scotland
Deaths in Scotland must be registered within 8 days of their occurrence. A relative of the deceased should register a death. If no relative is available, it can be registered by:
- any person present at the death
- the executor
- another legal representative
- the occupier of the premises where the death took place
There are six registration offices in the Stirling Council area. You can register a death at any of them or at any other registration office in Scotland.
Details of all registration offices in Scotland are available on the National Records of Scotland website.
Cause of death reviews
Healthcare Improvement Scotland randomly reviews medical certificates of cause of death – Form 11. The purpose of the review is to record and improve processes around death certification. If the certificate you bring to the registrar is selected, it can take up to three working days before we are able to issue a death certificate.
Social Security Scotland - Social Media resources for support with funeral payments.
Funeral Support Payment and the help available to the people of Scotland at a difficult time:
- Helping People Pay for Costs of a Funeral
- Scot Gov Fairer X Post
- Funeral Support Payment Resources
- Funeral Support Payment FAQ Facebook Posts
- Funeral Support Payment Facebook Post 1
- Funeral Support Payment Facebook Post 2
- LinkedIn Post About Stakeholder Resources
Translated social media posts into a variety of languages to support clients where English is not the first language.