Coronavirus: Registration services
Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages
Most of our offices have now re-opened to the public. We are still working with some restrictions so please see our individual office pages for our opening hours for walk in customers. Out with these opening hours, staff will be dealing with customers over the telephone and online or carrying out prior arranged appointments which will include the Registration of Births, Deaths & Marriages.
Death registration
Death Registration will continue to be completed by a 'remote' appointment.
Contact your local registration office or ask your chosen funeral director to make an appointment.
Before a registration can be done, the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (Form 11) must have been issued. Where possible, have available birth certificates, marriage certificates and NHS number (from the Medical Card) for the deceased.
The Tell Us Once service will also still be available. Tell Us Once can help you notify a number of other government departments and services.
The remote registration appointment will be conducted by telephone and email where appropriate.
Birth registration
Birth registrations are going ahead as normal but do require an agreed appointment. Births should be registered within 21 days.
Initially information for the birth will be taken over the telephone, however you will be required to attend the office to sign the register page. The Registrar will arrange a time for you to do this and will explain the protocols in place for your appointment.
If mother and father of the child are married to one another, only one of them is required to carry out the registration and attend the office.
If mother and father are not married to one another, and father’s details are to appear on the birth certificate, both parties must be available for a telephone call together and must also attend the office together to sign.
Please take the confirmation of birth sheet issued by the hospital with you to your appointment.
You may be asked to email in supporting documents (e.g. marriage certificate) to the office you are dealing with.
Payment for full birth certificates must be made by card over the telephone, in advance, or can be ordered online at a later date.
We ask that you adhere to the social distancing measures in place when you attend our offices. Face coverings must be worn whilst inside our buildings, and hand sanitiser will be available for your use.
Increased cleaning and hygiene protocols are in place for your visit.
If you or anyone in your household, are displaying any symptoms of COVID-19, we ask that you cancel your appointment, and we will help you reschedule to a more appropriate time.
The procedures we have in place are to keep all parties safe and we appreciate your patience at this time.
Marriage
Marriages are currently going ahead but with some restrictions in place.
By law both parties to a proposed civil, religious or belief marriage or civil partnership are required to submit notice forms to the Registrar of the district in which the marriage or civil partnership is to take place, whenever possible please send your notice forms and supporting documents by post as we have limited appointments available at our offices.
Notice Period
All couples must give at least 29 days’ notice. The date that notices are processed by the Registration Office will begin the 29-day minimum notice period. We advise submitting notice 8 - 10 weeks before your ceremony date.
Booking a Registrar to conduct your ceremony
You can book a Registrar to conduct your ceremony as soon as you have decided on a date, time and preferred location.
Marriages and civil partnerships
Restrictions
There may be some restrictions in some offices due to space, and the office in question will advise on permitted numbers. We will also be following Scottish Government guidance around the wearing of face-coverings in indoor settings, which includes guests attending a ceremony.
Your Registrar will discuss with you the format of your ceremony and any other restrictions which may be in place at the time.
Other Registration Services
Ordering copy certificates
Certificates for events registered in Scotland can be ordered online
Birth, death and marriage certificates
If the event was registered within the previous month a certificate will cost £11
Certificates for events registered more than one month ago will cost £16
If the event was registered outside Highland within the last year, you should apply to the office in which the event was registered.
Certificates will be sent out by standard second-class post.
Citizenship Ceremonies
Ceremonies for new British Citizens have resumed. These can be performed with a face-to-face ceremony, or virtually. The Registration Office will discuss this with you when you receive your Home Office letter.
ScotlandsPeople – Inverness
We are now offering restricted spaces at the ScotlandsPeople terminals in Inverness Registration Office. To make an enquiry please email inverness.registrars@highland.gov.uk