Who needs to fill in a census and why? « Scotland's Census: Shaping Our Future

Who needs to fill in the census and why?

If you are a householder, or joint householder, you must fill in a Household Questionnaire. We ask people to fill in the census questionnaire to reflect their circumstances on 27 March 2011and to return it to us as soon as possible.

Everyone must be included on a census questionnaire. Anyone trying to avoid taking part may be fined up to £1,000.

The Household Questionnaire has 13 questions about the household and up to 35 individual questions for everyone who usually lives at the address. There are also questions for anyone else who stayed at the address on the night of 27 March 2011 whose permanent or family home is elsewhere.

See the How to fill in your questionnaire section for more about who should be included on the Household Questionnaire.

If you are staying in managed residential accommodation, such as a care home, student hall or prison, you must fill in an Individual Questionnaire provided to you by the accommodation manager.