Do the children in your care have birth certificates? Are you wondering how to get a genuine birth certificate for your child in Uganda?
A birth certificate is the legal document declaring that a child was born in Uganda. A birth certificate is issued when the birth of a child is registered.
Birth registration is the process by which a child’s birth is recorded in that the Civil Register by the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), the organisation mandated to register births that happen in Uganda.
It is the responsibility of every parent and guardian to make sure that all the children in their care are registered and receive birth certificates.
Why do you need a birth certificate in Uganda?
- A birth certificate establishes citizenship and nationality of the child protecting the child from exploitation like trafficking, illegal adoption, child labour, and child marriage.
- A birth certificate proves the legal relationship between parents and a child.
- Every person needs a birth certificate to access education services such as applying to the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) to sit for primary and secondary level examinations.
- The document is needed for ease of access to health care services, and future employment in the formal sector.
- A birth certificate facilitates future financial assistance such as opening of bank accounts, access to credit, loans and micro-finance schemes.
Below are details of how you can obtain a birth certificate for a child who was born in hospital and for cases of those born at home.
When a child is born in a hospital
The process of getting the birth certificate begins at the hospital where the child is born. When a child is born, the administrator of the medical facility records the birth and notifies the registration officer. The registration officer then issues a Birth Notification Record.
When a child is born within the community
When a child is born at home or within the community, the sub county chief/town clerk records the birth, notifies the registration officer and the registration officer issues a birth notification record.
If you give birth at a barracks, prison, orphanage, or quarantine station contact the officer in charge of the establishment to support the notification of the birth.
What is a birth notification record?
A Birth Notification Record is a formal record that a birth has occurred. It is compulsory and free of charge. A birth notification record contains the following information.
- The child’s surname, given name and any other name.
- The child’s date of birth, sex and place of birth.
- The mother and father’s name, National Identification Number (NIN) or Individual number where applicable and Nationality.
- The declarant’s information.
Applying for a birth certificate as a refugee
Once you have been issued with a birth notification record, you should visit NIRA offices of the area and presents the following:
- Birth Notification Record from the medical facility or subcounty.
- Duly filled NIRA notice of Birth form 3. (This form will be provided at NIRA offices or can be downloaded from the NIRA website).
- Attestation card/National Identification card/ NINs of parents
- NO PAYMENT. The process is free for refugees.
Upon submission of all the required documents, the mother/ father /declarant is issued with a birth certificate within a period of five days.
Is this procedure the same for refugees and citizens?
Refugees and asylum seekers go through the same procedure as Ugandan citizens to register their children and receive birth certificates. The only differences to note are:
- The process is free for refugees upon proof of refugee status of parents, while Ugandan citizens are required to pay Shs5000.
- The Individual Number and Attestation cards of the parents should be presented.
A birth certificate issued by NIRA
Location of NIRA offices
Kyaka II
NIRA offices are located at Kyegegwa District Headquarters
Kampala
National Independence Grounds, Kololo Airstrip.
P. O. Box 26529, Kampala-Uganda
Makindye Division
Housed at the KCCA Makindye Division Office
7HPJ+862, Mobutu Road, Kampala, Uganda
Kampala Central Division
Plot 62 Lumumba Avenue Opposite G4S 62
Lumumba Ave, Kampala
Kawempe Division
9JV5+4F4, Kampala
Near the church deliverance and giving ministries and the college Trinity High School.
Nakawa Division
Ntinda, Off Kalinabiri road, just next to the Red Cross Office
Rubaga Division
Near Uganda Martyrs University, Rubaga Campus
Other NIRA offices handling birth registration
Main Post Office Building
Plot 35, Kampala Road
Care IHK
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