HAVING A CHILD is often a joyous occasion, naming the child is equally festive as a name is the first step in establishing the child's identity.
Some persons may decide to delay naming the child until some weeks after birth. It is advisable that parents name the child within six weeks of birth. If for some reason the child was not named within six weeks the parents have up to one year to name the child. Failure to name the child within the year will result in the child having no name on his/her birth record.
In other instances some persons may believe that the non-payment of hospital fees means that the child is not registered. However, the event of the birth is usually registered but no name will be entered on the record.
If this occurs persons will be advised to do a Late Entry of Name (LEN).
RGD will not issue a certified copy of a birth certificate for which there is no name on the record and this may result in future difficulties such as non-admittance to school and the inability to travel overseas.
If your child's birth was registered but his name is absent from the record do not panic! Simply visit any office of the Registrar General's Department.
HOW TO DO A LATE ENTRY OF NAME
In doing a late entry of name you would need to collect a LEN application form from the RGD. This includes sections for the child's first primary, prep or elementary school record. If the child is not yet attending school you must submit an immunisation card or a baptismal certificate which has the name clearly stated.
In the case where the child is already attending school, the school record must be completed and signed by the school's principal and stamped with the school's official stamp. A baptismal certificate may be submitted if the child was christened. It is usually recommended that the child be christened within the year of his birth.
When doing a LEN you will also need to complete the declaration included in the form. The declaration may be completed by one of the child's parents or a close relative (sister, brother, aunt, uncle, grand parents). The relative must be at least ten years older and must sign in the presence of a Justice of the Peace (J.P.).
Once the form is completed it must be submitted to the RGD along with the necessary payment. You will then be given an appointment card, which has a date for an interview to be conducted by an RGD customer service representative.
The interview is a simple process where you are asked a few questions concerning your application. Within two to six weeks after the interview process is complete you should receive your certificates.
Please note that if during the interview you are asked to provide additional documents, your application cannot be satisfied until you provide these documents. Therefore, the speedy completion of the process is dependent on you.
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