The registration of the birth of a child is a legal requirement. If a child’s birth is not registered that child will not be able to obtain a birth certificate.
Birth certificates are required for school, university, National Insurance, National Registration Cards, passports etc.
How much time do I have to register a birth?
A birth must be registered within twenty-eight (28) days after birth.
What Births must be registered?
If a child is born in Barbados, whether alive or stillborn, the birth must be registered. The Registrar may in certain circumstances also register a birth that occurred on an aircraft or ship travelling to Barbados.
What is required when registering a birth.
What to do when registering a birth.
Have the correct spelling of the names of the child.
Answer all questions asked by the district registrar.
Carefully check and ensure that all the information given is accurate and correct before signing.
Inaccurate information may cause problems at a later date. Furthermore fees may be payable for corrections to the register.
Places of registration.
Births are registered in the district where the birth occurred.
Births occurring in
St. Michael
Christ Church
St. George
St. Philip
St. John
St. Thomas
St. Peter
St. James
St. Lucy
St. Joseph
St. Andrew
Register at:
The Registration Department
District ‘B’ Magistrate’s Court
District ‘B’ Magistrate’s Court
District ‘C’ Magistrate’s Court
District ‘C’ Magistrate’s Court
District ‘D’ Magistrates Court
District ‘E’ Magistrate’s Court
District ‘E’ Magistrate’s Court
District ’E’ Magistrate’s Court
District ‘F’ Magistrate’s Court
District ‘F’ Magistrate’s Court
N.B. The Vital Statistics Registration Act Cap 191A of the Laws of Barbados provides penalties for failing to have a child’s birth registered or for giving false or misleading information
Late registration of birth.
In some cases, for whatever reason, some people find that their birth was never registered by their parents. There is provision to register a late birth. If that person is a minor the parent/guardian must complete and sign a declaration, which is obtained from the Registration Department.
A letter from the institution where the child was born must be produced as proof of date and place of birth.
In the case of an adult an affidavit sworn by someone with knowledge of that person’s date and place of birth must be produced.
Payment of a late fee is required.
Birth certificates after registration.
Birth certificates are available after the registration of the birth and on payment of the required fee.