A child born anywhere in Scotland can be registered at any West Lothian Council Registration office (see list below). The child must be registered within 21 days of birth by the mother or father. Further information about registering your child's birth can be found in the frequently asked questions section below or alternatively you can contact your local Registration office directly.
A list of the Registration Offices can be found via the following link:
In certain circumstances this may be possible. If there is good reason why he cannot attend the registration office with the child's mother, he may complete a Statutory Declaration. A father who is not married to the mother can only register the birth and be named in the register as the father if one of the following happens: he jointly signs the register with the mother; he and the mother sign declarations (these are available from the Registrar) that he is the father; or if a court declares that he is the father and the mother registers the birth.
Parents may register a child using a different surname from their own. However, it must be pointed out that this may cause difficulty or embarrassment to the child in the future.
You do not need to make an appointment if you go to the Registration offices in Bathgate, Livingston or East Calder. An appointment is required if you wish to go to Broxburn, Linlithgow, West Calder or Whitburn.
If the name of the natural father is omitted from a birth certificate, this may be added if certain conditions are met. A father who is not married to the mother can only register the birth and be named in the register as the father if one of the following happens: he jointly signs the register with the mother; he and the mother sign declarations (these are available from the Registrar) that he is the father; or if a court declares that he is the father and the mother registers the birth. You should make an appointment with your local registrar, taking the birth certificate with you. The registrar will advise you of the best way to proceed.
A birth must be registered within 21 days. However, in exceptional circumstances (for example if the mother is ill or the father is unavailable), a short postponement can be arranged in consultation with the registrar.
Registration of a birth is free and an abbreviated extract of the birth (i.e. one that doesn't name the parents) is also given free at the time of registration. A full birth certificate purchased at the time or within the same year of registration will incur a small fee. A PDF document detailing all Registration fees payable can be found on our main Birth, Marriage and Death page of this site.
No, an abbreviated birth certificate is not suitable for passport purposes. You must have a full birth certificate if you want to apply for a passport.
After the birth, the hospital, doctor or midwife will issue a form containing details of the birth and information about how to register the birth. This form should be taken to the registrar, to allow the birth to be registered. If the parents are married to each other, please bring your marriage certificate with you. If you do not have a certificate, please note that you must be able to provide the registrar with the date and place of your marriage.
Your baby may be given any surname when the birth is registered. Naturally, most parents register the surname of the mother or the father. You can give the baby any forename(s) you wish (with a few exceptions).
One of the child's parents must register the birth of their child. If the parents are married to each other, only one parent need visit the registrar and either the mother or father can register the birth. If the parents are not married to each other it is the mother's duty to register the birth. Where both parents' names are to appear on the birth entry but the parents are not married, both parents should visit the registrar, together, to register the birth. If either unmarried parent is unable to be present at the time of registration, the non-attending parent should complete a Statutory Declaration and contact the registrar, who will explain how the birth may be registered. In the case of the death or inability of the father or mother to register the birth, the following persons can register the birth: any relative of the mother or father, being a relative who has knowledge of the birth; the occupier of the premises in which, to the knowledge of that occupier, the child was born; any person present at the birth; any person having charge of the child.
Contact details
Tel: Livingston - 01506 281894 or Bathgate - 01506 282916
