NRS aims to preserve, protect and promote the nation's records; to provide the best possible inclusive and accessible archive that educates, informs and engages the people of Scotland and the world. NRS is a department of the Scottish Government, headed by the Registrar General and Keeper of the Records of Scotland. We hold historical records dating from the 12th to the 21st centuries that have been created by businesses, landed estates, families, churches, government, the courts and other corporate bodies. They include medieval charters, seals, wills, letters, diaries, business records, official reports, and records of crime, photographs, maps and plans. NRS advises other bodies on the care of archives, and maintain the National Register of Archives for Scotland, which keeps track of archives in private hands.

At local registration offices you may register births, deaths, stillbirths, marriages and civil partnerships. NRS is also responsible for maintaining centrally a register of divorces, a register of adoptions and the National Health Service Central Register. We advise a wide range of public bodies on the care and management of the records they create. NRS also administers the Scottish Register of Tartans, which was established by act of the Scottish Parliament to promote and preserve information about registered tartans, to be a focal point for tartan research and to provide the tartan industry in Scotland with a platform to promote its expertise and the quality and value of its products.

NRS is responsible for running Scotland's Census. NRS collects, analyses and publishes official demographic statistics, drawn from the Census and other sources, to inform government policy on everything from health to housing and education. NRS provides research facilities, both in Edinburgh and online, for identifying records from public bodies such as the Scottish Government, the courts and the Scottish Parliament which are of permanent historical value and ensuring that these are added to the nation's archives.

Find out more about the National Records of Scotland.