What you need to do « Scotland's Census: Shaping Our Future

What you need to do

The paper questionnaire

When you receive your questionnaire you should treat it as a confidential document and keep it safe.

Fill it in on or around 27 March 2011.
Put it in the envelope, making sure that the census logo is visible in the window.
Seal the envelope and return it.

The online questionnaire

You can fill in your census questionnaire online if your paper questionnaire has an Internet Questionnaire Access Code (IQAC) on the front. This code is unique to your address and you should not let anyone else use it.

Online returns are protected by strong security arrangements based on tried and trusted technology.

Only use Scotland’s official census website to fill in the online questionnaire – www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk. This is the web address printed on the front of the paper questionnaire.

If you choose to fill in your questionnaire online, for extra security you will be asked to create a password. You should not share your password with anyone else. Remember it and do not write it down.

When filling in your questionnaire online, check that the small security padlock is displayed. The padlock is usually in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen or in the title bar of your browser. This shows that your personal information is being securely transferred.

Be sure to log out from the online questionnaire and close your browser after using the site. Closing a tab in your browser may not be enough to exit properly from the site.

Your session will automatically end if you do nothing to it for 10 minutes. If this happens, to continue filling in your questionnaire you will have to re-enter your password and IQAC.

Once you have submitted your online questionnaire, keep a note of the confirmation number and destroy your paper questionnaire securely by shredding the front page, which contains your address and IQAC or tearing it into small pieces.

Checking the identity of census takers

All census takers have an official census photo identity card that they must show you when they visit your home. Please contact us if you have any doubts about someone claiming to be from the census.