TranslateApply for a copy of a certificate
Birth, death, marriage or civil partnership certificates
If the event took place in Scotland, you may apply to our registration offices for a certificate from the following registers:
- birth, death, marriage (from 1855)
- civil partnership certificate (from December 2005)
Contact Bereavement Services for copies of lair certificates.
Types of certificates (also known as an Official Extract)
- short (or abbreviated) certificate - shows minimal information
- long (or full) certificate - shows exactly what is recorded on the register page.
Who can apply?
Birth, death, marriage or civil partnership certificates are public documents. Anyone can apply for a copy without restriction.
Apply for a copy certificate
Requests can be made:
- online
- over the phone
- in person
Requests will be processed within 5 working days. The copy certificate will be sent by 2nd class post.
You will need
Have the following information to hand:
- full name of the person(s) including surname at birth
- date of the event
- where the event took place
Fees for certificates in Scotland
- extract requested where you have the abbreviated certificate: £10
- extract requested up to 1 month after event was registered: £10
- thereafter: £15
If postage is required, this will be calculated for you. The total cost will be given to you by a member of the Registration Team.
Request an extract formAdopted birth certificates
Only the adopted individual may request a copy of their adopted birth certificate from National Records of Scotland.
Stillbirth certificate
Apply to National Records of Scotland for a copy of a still birth certificate.