Registration of Births

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.

  • A marriage certificate (where parents are married to each other).
  • A valid form of identification.
  • The immunization book/card given by the hospital.

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.