Don’t Delay: Give Your Child Identity with a Birth Certificate

Loraine Phiri

Many parents in Zimbabwe postpone registering their children’s births until the last minute, often due to a lack of awareness, missing documents, or frustration with long queues at the civil registry office.

Gugulethu Gumede is among the parents who made a decision after WILD’s access to documentation (ADT) community awareness outreach in Makokoba to take a birth certificate for her daughter.

“I am excited that we finally registered our daughter for a birth certificate.  While the queue was long and we have to wait 22 days to collect the birth certificate, me and my husband are excited to have taken this important step,” said Gumede.

She encouraged other young parents not to delay taking birth certificates for their children and register while there was time.

 “Parents must not wait until the child is at a school going age. It is important that as parents we register our kids so that they have an identity and enjoy the benefits of Zimbabwean citizenship,” said Gumede.

Kevin Mudenda, another parent who obtained a birth certificate for his daughter, echoed the sentiment: “As a young parent, I’m overjoyed. It was my first time registering a birth certificate, and despite the queue, everything went smoothly. I encourage other parents to do the same, because delays can lead to higher costs and complicate the process.

This emphasis on timely birth registration is crucial, especially with the recently gazetted 2024, SI 7 on birth and death registration fees, which states that  initial birth certificates for persons six years or younger will remain free of charge  while for those above  six,  it will be $5. A certified copy of an entry of birth or death certificate will cost $5. An urgent birth or death certificate will cost $10.  Importantly, failing to register a child’s birth within 42 days in Zimbabwe  can lead to fines and  even imprisonment under the Births and Deaths Act [Chapter 5:02].

The WILD ATD community awareness outreach serves as a vital reminder for parents to prioritise birth registration for their children. It’s not just a document; it’s their identity, their right, and their key to accessing essential opportunities such as education and health services.