Fife will start to register births again from next week

New parents will be able to register the birth of their baby in Fife from next week.

However with nearly 800 babies born in the Kingdom during lockdown, Fife Council is introducing a staggered approach to its appointment system to allow registrars to work through all the birth registrations.

Allocated appointment dates have been created for those who have given birth during the last few months and Fifers are able to call from today (Wednesday) to make an appointment.

The local authority is asking those whose baby was born later in lockdown, who have allocated dates a few weeks away, to wait and call nearer the time.

A spokesman for Fife Council said: “As there’s been nearly 800 babies born in Fife during lockdown, we plan to have a staggered approach to our appointment system to ensure families are treated fairly and to allow registrars to work through all the birth registrations.

“Your patience will be much appreciated during this time.

“If your allocated appointment dates are a few weeks away, please wait and call us nearer the time – no need for everyone to phone at once – don’t worry, there will be plenty of appointments available.

“If you miss your allocated appointment dates, you can make an appointment for any of the later dates. Again, your patience is appreciated.”

Appointments for the registration of babies born before March 31 will be available during week commencing June 29.

For those born between April 1 and 30, appointments are during the weeks commencing July 6 and 13; babies born between May 1 and 31 can be registered during the weeks commencing July 20 and 27; those born between June 1 and 30 will be able to have appointments to be registered during the weeks commencing August 3 and 10.

Any little ones born between July 1 and 31 can be registered at appointments during the weeks commencing August 17 and 24, and those born from August 1 onwards will be able to be registered at appointments from the week commencing August 31.

Appointments will be made over the phone with the registrar and once the information has been gathered by phone the registrar will make an appointment for parents to attend the registration office to check the information is correct on the register page and to sign the entry for the register.

Only four registration offices – Cupar, Dunfermline, Glenrothes and Kirkcaldy – will be open for the appointments to sign the register.

If parents are married to each other, either the mother or father can do the appointment. However, if parents are not married and the father’s name is to be shown in the register, the registrar will need to speak to both parents during the same appointment. Both parents will also need to sign the register page.

The documents required for appointments are the birth registration card from the maternity hospital or midwife; your birth certificate(s); your marriage certificate.

For those born outside Scotland it is helpful if the registrar can physically see your birth extract. If you married or registered your civil partnership outside Scotland, it is also helpful if the registrar can see your marriage or civil partnership extract – these can be scanned/emailed during your appointment.

To make an appointment please call 03451 55 00 77 from Monday to Friday between 8am and 6pm.

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