Registration

Any death that takes place in Scotland must be registered within 8 days of the date of death. You can register the death with any registrar in Scotland.

A burial or cremation cannot take place until the death has been registered. 

If the person has died outside of Scotland, their death needs to be registered in that country.

There is a separate process for registering a stillbirth.

If it’s an emergency death registration

If you need to make an emergency death registration, phone us on 07971 158 453 outside normal working hours only if:

• the burial is taking place within 24 hours
• the deceased is being removed from the country for burial (repatriation).

You can register a death if you:

• are aged 16 years or older
• are related to the person who died
• were there when they died
• are the occupier of the place where they died or you lived with the person if they died at home
• are an executor or other legal representative of the person who died.

If you do not meet one of the criteria above and there is no one else to register the death, then you can register it providing you have the details of the person who died and the required documents. 

It will help if you can tell us the:

• name, occupation, address, date, and country of birth of the person who has died
• name, date of birth, and occupation of their spouse or civil partner (if applicable)
• names and occupation of their parents, including their mother's maiden surname
• name and address of their GP.

We’ll also need these documents, if you have them:

• a birth certificate of the person who has died
• an NHS medical card (if available)
• a marriage or civil partnership certificate (if applicable).

We can still register a death, even if we only have a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD).

The doctor will issue a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD). 

They’ll also take your contact details and ask which registration office you wish to deal with. 

They’ll send the certificate and your details to the registrar.

Once we’ve received the certificate, we'll contact you by phone to start the registration. 

You do not need to book an appointment or come to a registration office in person.

Death certification reviews

A random number of Medical Certificates of Cause of Death (MCCD) are selected for review by the Death Certification Review Service (DCRS).

This is to check the quality and accuracy of the death certificate, record public health information about causes of death in Scotland, and to improve the death registration service. 

If your death registration is selected for review

If the death you are registering is selected for review, you may not be able to register it straight away. We’ll let you know if it has been selected, how long it should take. We’ll contact you when it is complete. 

You can begin to make the funeral arrangements while the review is happening.

However, the funeral cannot take place until the review is completed, and you get a Certificate of Registration of Death (Form 14).

Advance registration

Under special circumstances, a funeral can go ahead before the review of the MCCD is complete. This is called advance registration. 

You can find out more about applying for advance registration on the Healthcare Improvement Scotland website.

We’ll give you:

• an abbreviated death certificate
• a certificate of registration of death (Form 14) – we’ll email this to your chosen funeral director so the burial or cremation can go ahead
• a unique reference number for the Tell Us Once service - this lets you report a death to most government organisations in one step.

There is no cost for these documents.

Full death certificates are available for £10 each, if you need them. We can take payment for it when the registration is taking place.

If you don’t get one at the time of registration, you can order a full death certificate at a later date. 

It costs £15 for a full death certificate if you order it more than 4 weeks after the date of registration.

How to order a death certificate.

When the death has been registered

If the person who died was 18 or over, we’ll notify the relevant council tax or electoral registration authority.

If they were a sole council tenant in Renfrewshire, you can arrange to end their council tenancy.

You may need practical advice about what to do when someone dies. to help you manage.

You can get practical advice from a funeral director, your family doctor, a solicitor, your local social work department or Citizens Advice Bureau. 

See:

• arranging a funeral
• what to do after a death in Scotland (GOV.SCOT)
• practical advice after a death (NHS Inform).

Support with death and bereavement

Renfrewshire Bereavement Network

At a citizenship ceremony you make an oath of allegiance (swear by God) or affirmation of allegiance.

This is to promise to respect the rights, freedoms, and laws of the UK.

Find out more about British citizenship (GOV.UK website).

If you’re over 18 and your application for British citizenship has been successful, you must book to attend a British citizenship ceremony.

You must attend a British citizenship ceremony within 3 months of receiving your invitation letter, otherwise you’ll have to re-apply for citizenship and pay the application fees again.

The Home Office will not refund the fee if your application is later refused or withdrawn.

The Provost or Deputy Provost attends the citizenship ceremony along with the elected members (local Councillors) from the electoral wards that the new citizens live in.

At the ceremony, new citizens make an oath of allegiance or an affirmation of allegiance.

The registrar then asks the whole group to make the Pledge of Loyalty.

You are then presented with your certificate of naturalisation as a British citizen.

In Renfrewshire, the citizenship ceremonies are held on the last Wednesday of every month in the Paisley Marriage Suite at Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street, Paisley.

You can invite up to 4 guests to attend your citizenship ceremony.

You’ll need to give us: 

• your phone number
• the first name and surname of the guests that you would like to invite
• a copy of the citizenship invitation letter that you received from the Home Office.

When you receive your invitation letter from the Home Office, phone us to book your citizenship ceremony.

We present all our new British citizens with a small commemorative coin in a presentation box.

You’ll also receive a citizenship folder from the Home Office, which contains: 

• a welcome letter from the Home Secretary
• notes on applying for a British Passport. 

We’ll also provide you with information on registering on the electoral roll so you can vote in elections.

The cost to attend a citizenship ceremony is included in your British citizenship application fee.

More information 

You can find out more about the Milk and Healthy Snack Scheme (Scottish Government website).

The Scottish Milk and Healthy Snack Scheme funds nurseries and childminders to provide a daily serving of milk and a snack for children who attend for at least 2 hours a day.

It aims to ensure children have daily servings of healthy food and drink items from an early age to help their growth and development.

The daily serving includes: 

• plain fresh cow's milk or a non-dairy alternative, or infant formula for children under 12 months old
• a healthy snack, either fruit or vegetables.

Any nursery or childminder in Renfrewshire can register for the scheme if you:

• are registered with the Care Inspectorate
• provide care to pre-school children for 2 hours or more a day. 

Under the scheme, children will get milk, or a non-dairy alternative, and a healthy snack serving once a day if they attend at least 2 hours of nursery or childcare.

If a child goes to more than 1 nursery or childminder during the day, they should still receive only 1 serving a day. 

If a child gets the milk and snack serving at another nursery or childminder before coming to your setting, you do not need to provide it again.

You should agree with the child's parents and carers when the milk and snack is provided, in line with any other arrangements for meals at your setting.

You should keep a record if a parent or carer chooses to decline all or part of the milk and snack provision for their child.

From 1 April 2022, a national combined rate of 58.2p for milk, non-dairy alternatives, and a healthy snack was introduced for every eligible child.

There is no charge for parents or carers of children who get the daily milk and snack provision. 

What you cannot use the scheme for

This scheme is separate from any other meal or snack arrangements you provide at your setting. 

You cannot use these payments for other types of food, drinks, meals, or products that are not approved for the scheme.

See the products that must be provided under the scheme (Scottish Government website).

You'll need to give us an estimate of the number of milk and snack servings you expect to provide from 1 August 2026 to 31 July 2027, so we can calculate payments to childcare settings.

We recommend you base this on your existing catering estimates and the number of children you expect attend your setting each day. 

For example, if you’re a nursery with 80 places, you could apply for between 80 to 120 servings per day.

In your application, you'll need to provide:

• the registered name, address and postcode of your nursery or childminding business
• your contact details
• which type of childcare provision you provide (either day care or childminding)
• the address where the nursery or childminder is
• the bank name, account number, and sort code of the nursery or childminder
• if you keep an attendance record
• how many children are enrolled at your nursery or childminding setting
• how many sessions you provide a week
• how many children you expect to care for at a session
• how many milk and snack servings a month you expect to provide
• a copy of your childcare provider's certificate of registration - you can upload this as a photo (JPEG) or a scanned document (PDF).

Register for the Scottish Milk and Healthy Snack Scheme online

This year's scheme runs from 1 August 2026 until 31 July 2027.

We'll let you know if we have confirmed your registration. 

We'll tell you by email when your payments will start. 

When you'll get paid

This year's scheme runs from 1 August 2026 until 31 July 2027.

If your registration is confirmed, you’ll get 3 payments during the year to purchase the products that must be provided under the scheme (Scottish Government website).

The 3 payment periods cover:

• 1 August 2026 to 30 November 2026
• 1 December 2026 to 31 March 2027
• 1 April 2027 to 31 July 2027.

If you register before 20 July 2026, you'll get your first payment on or around 1 August 2026.

If you register after 20 July 2026, you'll be paid within 4 weeks of the date you registered. 

You will not get backdated payments if you register after 20 July 2026.

We'll make the second payment on or around 1 December 2026.

We'll make the third payment during the week commencing 6 April 2027.

A naming ceremony is an opportunity for parents or carers to announce the names that have been chosen for their child or children in the presence of family and friends.

At the ceremony, parents make promises of commitment to the child.

Friends, grandparents, or relatives chosen by the parents take part in the naming ceremony as 'supporting adults', and they pledge a special relationship with the child or children. 

It’s not a religious ceremony.

Naming ceremonies are for children of any age.

Any parent or person who has parental responsibilities for a child or children can arrange a naming ceremony.

Naming ceremonies are not the same as registering a child's birth.
 

In Renfrewshire, you can have an official naming ceremony at:

• Paisley Marriage Suite at Renfrewshire House
• Johnstone Registry Office
• Paisley Town Hall, Renfrew Town Hall and Johnstone Town Hall
• another venue with a registrar.

Ceremonies at Paisley Town Hall, Renfrew Town Hall, and Johnstone Town Hall are managed by OneRen. 

Find out more about these venues on the OneRen website.
 

Personalizing your ceremony

The naming ceremony is put together by the parents or carers. It can include readings, music or poems that do not contain religious elements.

The registrar service can give advice on the format of the ceremony, so you can create a unique and special event.

Our baby naming ceremony booklet offers some suggestions which you may choose to include in your ceremony. 
 

It has a selection of readings and poems and a variety of promises which can be made by parents, supporting adults, guardians, and grandparents in addition to other suggestions which you may like to include in the ceremony.

These are only given as examples of material that can be included in your ceremony. You are free to bring along your own material and make your own suggestions for the ceremony.

You can book a naming ceremony up to one year in advance. You’ll need to pay a £55 deposit when you book it.

You’ll need to produce the birth certificates of the child or children when you book the naming ceremony.  

Phone us to book a naming ceremony.

We’ll arrange an appointment with a registrar where you can: 

• book a naming ceremony
• discuss your requirements
• pay the remaining balance.

You’ll also need to bring the birth certificates to your meeting with the registrar before the naming ceremony.

After your naming ceremony, you’ll receive a ceremonial pack. 

This includes a naming ceremony certificate and a copy of the ceremony speech in a presentation wallet.

The naming ceremony fees vary depending on the venue you choose.

Naming ceremony at a registration office from Monday to Friday (during office hours):

• naming ceremony pack: £40
• conduct of ceremony: £55
• accommodation fee (Monday to Friday): £76

The total cost is £165.

Naming ceremony at a registration office on a Saturday:

• naming ceremony pack: £40
• conduct of ceremony: £55
• accommodation fee (Saturday supplement): £213

The total cost is £308.

Naming ceremony at Paisley Town Hall from Monday to Friday:

• naming ceremony pack: £40
• conduct of ceremony: £55
• accommodation fee (Monday to Friday): £76

The total cost is £165.

Naming ceremony at another venue from Monday to Friday (during office hours):

• naming ceremony pack: £40
• conduct of ceremony: £55
• administration fee (Monday to Friday): £155

The total cost is £250.

Naming ceremony at another venue on a Saturday:

• naming ceremony pack: £40
• conduct of ceremony: £55
• administration fee: £259

The total cost is £354.

Naming ceremony at another venue on a Sunday or Public holiday:

• naming ceremony pack: £40
• conduct of ceremony: £55
• administration fee: £341

The total cost is £436.

You can apply to the National Records of Scotland to change your first names (forenames) or surname or change the names of a child you have parental responsibility for. 

People under 16 can only have:

• one forename change
• one surname change.

People over 16 can only have:

• one forename change
• up to 3 surname changes, with a gap of at least 5 years between each.

You can change a name if you or the person you’re applying for:

• was born in Scotland
• was legally adopted in Scotland
• has a parental order granted in Scotland.

For children under 16

A change of name for child under 16 years can only be done by:

• a parent who has sole parental responsibilities for the child
• both parents when both have parental responsibilities for the child
• another person who has responsibilities for the child when neither parent does.

If you are over 16 years of age, you can apply or a change to your forename or surname yourself.

Marriage, civil partnership, or divorce

You do not need to apply to change your name following a marriage, civil partnership, or divorce.

Gender recognition

If you’ve applied for gender recognition in Scotland and want to change your name, the National Records of Scotland will register your new name.

See more information about gender recognition (National Records of Scotland website).

For people born outside of Scotland

There is a different process to change your name if you were born outside of Scotland (National Records of Scotland website).

You’ll need to complete the relevant form if the name change is for a:

• child under 12 months old
• child over 12 months old and under 16 years old
• person over 16 years old.

You’ll also need to provide an email address so the National Records of Scotland can contact you.

Parental responsibilities

If a court made an order to give or remove from any person parental responsibilities and rights for the child, you’ll need to include a copy of the court order with your application.

If a Parental Responsibilities and Parental Rights Agreement been made, you’ll need to include a copy of the agreement with your application.

You’ll need to complete the relevant form and send it to the National Records of Scotland. 

You can only apply by post. National Records of Scotland does not accept digital applications. 
If the child is under 12 months of age, complete either an:

• application for recording or changing their forename (Form 21)
• application for recording a change to their surname (Form 23).

If the person is over 12 months of age and under 16 years, complete an application for recording a change their forename, surname, or both (Form 23).

If the person is over 16 years, complete an application for recording a change to their forename or surname (Form 24).

Complete and sign the documents in ink and send the application form to the Change of Name Team at:

The National Records of Scotland will contact you by email about your application. They aim to email you within 20 days of receiving your application.

Recording a change of name

The cost for recording a change of name is £40.

For family applications where multiple people are changing their names at once, the fees are:

• £40 for the first family member
• £10 for every other family member applied for at the same time.

Ordering a birth certificate

You do not automatically get a replacement birth certificate.

When you apply for a change of name, the National Records of Scotland will explain how to get a new birth certificate. 

Once the change of name has been recorded, you can purchase a new certificate. This will show your new name and your previous name.

If you plan on getting married abroad, there are certain documents you’ll need, depending on if you are a resident of Scotland or not. 

Contact the consulate or embassy for the relevant country and ask what documentation they need for you to get married there. This will vary from country to country.

You may need a Certificate of No Impediment (CONI). This document is proof there's no reason you cannot get married or have a civil partnership.

If you live in Renfrewshire

If you live in Renfrewshire, you can request a Certificate of No Impediment (CONI) from us.

If you do not live in Renfrewshire

If you do not live in Renfrewshire, you cannot get a Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage (CONI) from us.

If your residence is in another part of Scotland, you’ll need to contact the registrar in that area to ask them for a Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage (CONI).

If you’re not eligible for a Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage (CONI)

If the country where you want to wed needs evidence you are free to marry, the General Register Office for Scotland can provide you with a 'To Whom it May Concern' letter.

This letter will say a search has been made and no trace of a marriage or civil partnership involving you has been found. 

They will need different information from you depending on your circumstances.

The letter can also be provided for other purposes, for example, going to live in another country. 

You can find out more about using Scottish registration documents abroad on the National Records for Scotland website.

To request a Certificate of No Impediment (CONI) you’ll need to send us:

• a completed marriage notice form (M10) or a civil partnership notice form (CP10)
• your birth certificate or adoption certificate
• a valid passport or other evidence of your nationality
• a utility bill or other proof of residence
• a decree of divorce, dissolution or annulment (if it applies)
• a death certificate of your former spouse or civil partner (if it applies)

If your partner lives abroad, we’ll also need their:

• full name
• date of birth
• address.

We’ll issue a Certificate of No Impediment (CONI) 29 days after you’ve submitted your marriage or civil partnership notices and paid the notice fees of £90.

A Certificate of No Impediment (CONI) is valid for 3 months from the:

• date of issue if you are being married or having a civil partnership abroad
• date we receive your notice if you are being married in England or Wales.

For all marriages and civil partnerships, you need to register to marry or form a civil partnership. 

This is called ‘giving notice’. 

You’ll need 2 marriage or civil partnership notices. They are legally required to give notice of your intention to marry or form a civil partnership.

They are displayed at the reception in Renfrewshire House from the date a couple gives notice until the date of the ceremony itself. This is for the public to view in case of any objections.

By law, you will need 2 witnesses, both who must be aged 16 years or over.

You need to make an appointment to give us your forms and documents before your registration or ceremony.

You must do this:

• no earlier than 3 months before the ceremony or registration
• no later than 29 days before the ceremony or registration.

Both of you must complete a:

• M10 marriage notice form if you’re getting married
• CP10 civil partnership notice form if you’re registering a civil partnership.

We’ll also need details about your witnesses and information about your ceremony if it’s being conducted by one of our registrars.

What you need to bring with you

At your appointment to give notice, both of you need to bring:

• your birth certificate or adoption certificate
• a valid passport or other evidence of your nationality
• a utility bill or other proof of residence. dated within the last 3 months or a Council Tax bill for the current year)

If you are British and born before 1983, you do not need to provide a passport. 

If you do not have a passport, you need to provide your mother's or father's birth certificate.

How to order a birth certificate.

Your documents

All documents must be originals. 

If you are waiting for any of these documents, give notice first and then give the documents to the registrar as early as possible (no later than 7 days before your ceremony).

If your documents are not in English, you must provide a certified translation of them.

If you're not a UK citizen

If one or both of you are not UK citizens, you need to complete a declaration of status by non-UK nationals form.

If you were divorced or separated outside the UK

If you were divorced or your separation was legally granted outside of the UK, you must complete either a:

• foreign divorce questionnaire if you were previously married
• foreign dissolution or annulment questionnaire if you were previously in a civil partnership.

We’ll also need a phone number and email address so we can contact you.

Phone us on 0300 300 0310 to register your marriage or civil partnership, whether your ceremony is at a registration office, a religious venue, or another location in Renfrewshire. 

We’ll take you through the process of arranging it. 

This does not include public holidays.

When you have submitted all the required forms and documents, we’ll:

• publish the marriage or civil partnership notices
• prepare the marriage or civil partnership schedule.

Once this is done, the marriage or civil partnership can go ahead.

The marriage / civil partnership schedule

When the registrar is satisfied that there is no legal reason to stop the marriage or civil partnership going ahead, they’ll prepare a marriage or civil partnership schedule from the information you have given them. 

The schedule is the most important document, and no marriage or civil partnership can proceed without it. 

It confirms the details of the marriage or civil partnership, including the place; date; couple’s, parents’ and celebrant’s details.

Civil marriage or civil partnership ceremony

If you’re having a civil ceremony, the registrar will keep the schedule and have it ready for signing at your wedding.

Religious and belief-based marriage

If you are having a religious or beliefs-based marriage, the registrar will let you know when you can come to the registration office to collect the schedule.

The schedule cannot be:

• issued more than 7 days before the marriage
• collected on your behalf by a relative or friend. 

The registrar will only give it to either one of the couple getting married.

Before the ceremony, you must provide the marriage schedule to the person performing the marriage.

After the ceremony

Immediately after the ceremony, the schedule must be signed in permanent black ink using a fountain pen by the:

• couple
• person performing the ceremony
• 2 witnesses.

If you’ve had a religious ceremony, you must return the signed marriage schedule to the registrar within 3 days of the ceremony so the marriage can be registered.

For all marriages and civil partnerships, the registrar will register it and post a marriage certificate to you.

You can order a copy or replacement of your marriage or civil partnership certificate online if you need one.

Contact us if you have any other questions about registering a marriage or civil partnership, or need help with booking a ceremony: 

How much the fees are will depend on the type of ceremony, where it is, what day  it’s on, and if you have guests attending.

See the fees for marriages and civil partnerships.

A renewal of vows ceremony is for any couple who wish to renew their marriage vows or civil partnership pledge.

These ceremonies are often associated with a special or significant marriage or civil partnership anniversary, but it can be held at any stage of a marriage or civil partnership.

It’s also suitable for couples who’ve married abroad and wish to have a celebration in Renfrewshire.

An authorised registrar or assistant registrar usually conducts it. 

However, these ceremonies have no legal standing and are not legally binding on those who take part. 

In Renfrewshire, you can have a renewal of vows ceremony at: 

• Paisley Marriage Suite (Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays)
• Johnstone Marriage Suite (Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays)
• Paisley Town Hall, Renfrew Town Hall, or Johnstone Town Hall (Mondays to Fridays)
• another venue with a registrar (Mondays to Sundays).

Ceremonies at Paisley Town Hall, Renfrew Town Hall and Johnstone Town Hall are managed by OneRen.

Find out about these venues on the OneRen website.

If you want a renewal of vows ceremony with a registrar at another venue of your choice in Renfrewshire. Contact us first so we can let you know if the venue is suitable and available for your ceremony.  

You’ll need to produce your marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate when booking your ceremony in person. 

If you phone to book, you will need to produce your marriage or civil partnership certificate before the renewal ceremony.

How to order a marriage or civil partnership certificate.

After your ceremony, you’ll receive a ceremonial pack which includes a:

• renewal of civil marriage vows certificate, or renewal of civil partnership pledge certificate
• copy of the ceremony speech
• presentation wallet.

Contact us if you have any questions about booking a renewal of vows ceremony

You can book a renewal of vows ceremony up to 1 year in advance.

The balance of your ceremony fees must be paid at least 29 days before the ceremony date.

Renewal of vows at a registry office

On a Thursday or Friday, during office hours:

• renewal of vows pack £44
• conduct of ceremony £55
• accommodation fee (Thursdays and Fridays) £77

This is a total of £176. 

On a Saturday:

• renewal of vows pack £44
• conduct of ceremony £55
• accommodation fee (Saturdays) £235

This is a total of £334. 

Renewal of vows at another venue

Monday to Friday, during office hours:

• renewal of vows pack £44
• conduct of ceremony £55
• administration fee £171

This is a total of £270. 

On a Saturday:

• renewal of vows pack £44
• conduct of ceremony £55
• administration fee £286

This is a total of £385. 

On a Sunday or public holiday:

• renewal of vows pack £44
• conduct of ceremony £55
• administration fee £376

This is a total of £475. 

Children usually start school in Primary 1 in the August after their 5th birthday.

Children who reach the age of 5 between 1 March 2026 and 28 February 2027 should start primary school in August 2026.

However, if your child’s 5th birthday falls after the last day of February, you can request early entry to school. 

Early entry is not automatically granted. We consider each request individually, based on the wellbeing and developmental needs of the child.

Starting school early is a significant decision. Children develop at different rates, and readiness for school is not based on age alone.

It’s important that you consider your child’s overall wellbeing, development and individual needs.

You should speak with your child’s early learning and childcare setting, as well as any other professionals who know your child well.

What you should consider

Physical development

You should consider whether your child is ready to take part in a full school day, including managing routines, activities, and time spent learning and playing.

Emotional and social development

Children who start school early will be younger than others in their class.  

You should think about how your child manages separation, forms friendships, and takes part in group activities.

Learning and play

Children learn in lots of different ways, including through play, exploring, spending time with others, and everyday family experiences. This continues when they start school.

In Primary 1 (P1), children take part in play-based and active learning, but the day is usually more structured than in an early learning and childcare setting.

For some children, having more time in an early learning and childcare (nursery) setting can be really valuable. 

Early learning and childcare settings often offer more flexibility and more time for child-led play.

Long-term considerations

You should consider how starting school early may affect your child as they move through primary and secondary school and beyond, including transitions between stages and their age compared to peers.

Apply for early entry to school online

You can apply for early entry to school at any time during the year.  

Applications are considered on a case-by-case basis. 

Your application will be considered by senior management within the primary school sector.

This may include discussion with you and relevant professionals, and an assessment of your child based on their involvement in developmentally appropriate play-based experiences.

We’ll inform you of the decision after the assessment.

Appeal process

There is no right of appeal against the refusal of an early entry to school application, under the terms of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980.  

If your application was refused, you do have the right to seek independent legal advice. 

How we allocate nursery and childcare places 

We have a  nursery, early learning and childcare admissions policy to make sure places are allocated fairly and transparently:

Renfrewshire is divided into 10 admission panel areas of council-run or council-approved nurseries and childminders.

Priority is given to children who:

• meet certain admissions criteria
• live in their admission panel area.

In each admission panel area, we allocate nursery places in order of priority, starting with priority 1 to priority 5 children.

If there are more applications than places remaining in that that priority group, we’ll have a ballot to allocate these places.  

For children who do not get a place at their preferred nursery, we’ll try our best to offer a place at their 2nd or 3rd choice stated on the application form.

If you apply by 31 January 2026, we’ll let you know about your child's place by the end of April 2026.

If we receive your application after 31 January 2026, it will be considered at the next area admissions panel.

We hold admission panels approximately every 2 months during the school term to allocate places for applications we receive after the closing date.

Let your preferred nursery or childminder know if there are any changes to your circumstances, as this could affect the placement offered by the admissions panel.

Applications for 2-year-olds are reviewed throughout the year at the area admissions panel.

After you’ve applied

When your child is offered an early learning and childcare place, the council-run or council-approved nursery or childminder will write to you to confirm this.  

They’ll also confirm your child’s start date for early learning and childcare.

If you have any questions about your application or the place your child has been offered, you should discuss this with the head or manager of that nursery or the childminder.

If the matter is not resolved, you can contact our Children's Services by:

• email: elc@renfrewshire.gov.uk
• phone: 0300 300 0170

Or by post to:

Children's Services 
Council Headquarters 
Renfrewshire House 
Cotton Street 
Paisley PA1 1TZ

There is no appeal process for nursery placements.

A place at a nursery does not guarantee a place at the primary school that the nursery may be part of.

You’ll need to register your child for a primary school in your local catchment area before they are ready to start Primary 1 (P1).

Find out how to register your child for Primary 1 (P1) at school.

Children aged 3 and 4 can get up to 1140 hours of free early learning and childcare a year, funded by the Scottish Government.

This is:  

• around 30 hours per week if you use it during school term time, or  
• fewer hours spread across more weeks of the year.  

You do not need to pay for these funded hours.

Some 2-year-olds may also be entitled to free early learning and childcare.

You can get free early learning and childcare at nurseries, childminders, or a combination of both.

You can apply to use this at any council-run or council-approved nursery or childminder in Renfrewshire.  

Find out more about:

• Renfrewshire Council nurseries
• council-approved private and voluntary nurseries and childminders.

If you want to send your child to a private nursery or childminder that's not run or approved by us, you will not be able to use your free hours of nursery or childcare and you’ll have to pay for the cost.

Find out more about who can get free nursery or childcare places and when they can start.

Nursery places for the school year 2026 to 2027 start from August 2026.

When your child starts nursery depends on when their 3rd birthday is during the year.

If your child's 3rd birthday is on or before 28 February 2027, you should apply by 31 January 2026 for a free nursery place or childcare.

If your child is aged 2 and you've already applied for their place for when they are 3 years old, you do not need to apply again.

If your child is already 3 or 4 years old and isn't at nursery or a childminder, you should apply for their free place now.  

Find out more about who can get free nursery or childcare places and when they can start this.

Places for two-year olds

If your child is eligible for free early learning and childcare, you can apply just before they are 2 years old. They can start nursery and childcare in the term after their 2nd birthday.  

Find out more about who can get free nursery or childcare places and when they can start this.

Find out how you can use your free nursery and childcare hours.

Preferences you must provide

You can apply to any council-run or council-approved nursery or childminder in Renfrewshire.

When applying for an early learning and childcare place, you’ll need to select 3 different nurseries or childminders.

If you want a place at a private or voluntary nursery or private childminder that isn't approved by us, you'll need to apply to them directly.

You should check with your preferred nursery or childminder that they can accommodate the hours, days, or arrangements that suit you.

Find contact details for:  

• Renfrewshire Council nurseries
• council-approved private and voluntary nurseries and childminders.

You only need to make one application for your child's place, even if you have several choices or preferences. However, you must choose 3 different settings in your application form.

In your application, you must include:

• your preferred days and times
• whether you will use this free nursery or childcare place during school term-time or across the full year
• your 1st, 2nd and 3rd choices for your preferred nursery or childminder.

If we cannot provide your child a place at your 1st choice, we’ll do our best to offer you a place at your 2nd or 3rd choice. 

If you currently have a child at a nursery or childminder and want their sibling to attend the same one, you should state the names and ages of other children in your family on the application form. We’ll take this into consideration when allocating places.

Evidence you must provide

When applying for a free nursery or childcare place at one of our council-run or council-approved nurseries or childminders, you must provide:

• your name
• proof of your address, such as a utility or council tax bill
• your child's original birth certificate.

If you're applying for a 2-year-old who is eligible for free early learning and childcare, because you or someone in your household gets a qualifying benefit, you'll need to provide evidence such as:

• a confirmation letter of your benefit from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP)
• a tax credit award letter from HM Revenue and Customs.

You can see what qualifying benefits apply (Scottish Government website).  

You can upload scans or photos of your original documents with your online application. Make sure the image is clear enough to read the text.

You must provide original documents if we ask for them.

You can apply online for a nursery or childcare place at one of our council-run or council-approved nurseries or council-approved childminders: 

Apply online

You can download and fill in our free nursery and childcare places application form and return it to your chosen nursery or childminder by post or email:

If you want to email your completed form to your preferred nursery or childminder, you'll need to include photos or scans of your evidence.

If you want to return it by post, you'll need to return the completed application and your documents to the nursery or childminder’s address. We recommend you send your original documents by recorded delivery for added security.

You can also phone your local nursery or childminder and ask them to send you a form.