Guide to statutory registers

The statutory registers contain the official records of births, marriages and deaths in Scotland from 1 January 1855 (when registration became compulsory in Scotland, replacing the system of old parish registers) to the present day.

Date and location coverage

The statutory registers are exclusively available on the ScotlandsPeople website and at ScotlandsPeople networks. A network is located in the Highland Archive Centre in Inverness.

What can these records be used for?

You can use the statutory registers to search for a birth, marriage or death in Scotland from 1855 onwards. A large amount of information can be extracted from these and they are invaluable for researching individuals or families in Scotland.  Generally, entries include the names and ages of the people involved, the date, time and place of the event and a range of other information. 

• Births include the names and occupations of both parents and the mother’s maiden name.
• Marriages include the addresses of both parties and their parents’ names and occupations.
• Deaths include a cause of death, parents’ names and the name of the informant. 

It is important to keep an open mind about spellings and name variants as these can vary greatly even through the life of an individual.  If you only require one specific entry please contact us for advice.

Access and restrictions

If you are viewing entries on the ScotlandsPeople website from home there is a closure period of 100 years on births, 75 years on marriages and 50 years on deaths. If you are using the ScotlandsPeople network in the Highland Archive Centre births, marriages and deaths are generally available to date.

Copies and photography

• Copies can be obtained of birth entries over 100 years old, marriage entries over 75 years old and death entries over 50 years old. Charges apply.
• It is not permitted to take photographs from a screen: microfilm, microfiche or computer.