Globally it is estimated that over 1 billion people cannot prove their identity and out of this number 47% of children are without a birth certificate. Birth registration is an important process that gives the birth of a newborn legal backing and provides for the child's rights.
A birth certificate is a critical tool that gives effective protection from child marriage, child labor, child trafficking, and sexual exploitation. In some countries of the world, the birth and registration of a child are taken for granted; whereas, in other countries, it is a critical step that must be carried out, otherwise the government of that country will impose a heavy sanction on the parents.
Without a birth certificate, children are clearly invisible to their government; meaning that, there are so many rights that accrue to a child that the child may miss out owing to the fact that the parent refuses to register the child at the point of birth. Additionally, a birth certificate can ensure that a child will receive free and adequate education and health care services.
Owing to the importance of a birth certificate, different governments of the world have created a means to enable new parents to register the birth of their children and that is where the Birth Certificate Form comes in.
Let's take a look at what a Birth Certificate Form is, who needs it, how to fill the form and other benefits of using the form.
What Is a Birth Certificate Form?
A birth certificate form is a legal document used by parents to process or facilitate the birth registration of their children. The form shows a child's date of birth, the name of the child, the name of the parents, and the state it was issued. The form is available both online and offline depending on the system adopted in the country or state where you live.
In some countries, only the central government has the power to design or create a birth certificate form for parents to collect, fill, and submit to the relevant government agency that will process the birth registration of their children.
In other countries, the power to issue, process, and approve the birth registration of a child has been decentralized to regional governments within the country. So, regardless of the state or country where you reside, you can visit the relevant institution to find out more information on how to register your newborn.
The internet has made it possible for so many parents to register their children from the comfort of their homes. All you need to do is to visit the official platform to download the Birth Certificate Form, fill the form correctly with your details and that of your newborn and then submit the form electronically to the relevant department in the country where you reside for further processing.
Once your birth registration request has been approved by the relevant department saddled with the responsibility of registering the birth of newborns, a certificate will then be issued to you bearing the details of your baby.
Who Needs a Birth Certificate Form?
A birth certificate form is needed by every new parent regardless of the state, territory, or region where you give birth to your newborn. If you want your child to enjoy all the benefits that are enshrined in the Child Rights Act of the country or state where you live, then you need a birth certificate form to enable you to process a birth certificate for your child.
Once your child has been issued a birth certificate, the child has the right to enjoy all government services, including education, premium health care, and other essential services available in the country where you reside.
Also, those that have grown-up children that didn't register them at the point of birth need the birth registration form.
What Is The Birth Certificate Form Used For?
The birth certificate form is primarily used to apply for a child's birth certificate. If you have a newborn baby, the law requires that you register the baby so that the baby can enjoy several privileges as enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which states that “every child shall be registered immediately after birth and shall have the right from birth to a name and a nationality".
Only those children that possess a birth certificate can enjoy these benefits, including access to government essential services like health care and education. If your child does not have a birth certificate, the child will not be able to access these benefits from the government. Therefore, you need the birth certificate form to enable you to apply for a birth certificate in the state or country that you live in.
What's The Content of a Birth Certificate Form?
A birth certificate form is a one-page form that shows the personal information of a parent and that of their child. It also shows the contact address and nationality of the parents. There is also a provision for the mother and the father of the child to append their signature to give the form legal backing so that the relevant department can process the application for a birth certificate.
Generally, a birth certificate form includes the following:
- Full name of the child
- Full name of the parents
- Date of birth
- Place of birth
- Gender of the child
- Registration number
- Registration date
- Date issued
How to Fill Out a Birth Certificate Form?
The process of filling the form is easy. Once you obtain the form, you're required to follow these steps:
- Enter the names of your newborn
- Write your own name and nationality
- Write the exact date your baby was born and the place of birth
- Specify the gender of your baby
- Then sign the document to give it legal backing.
