Every baby born in Fiji must be registered, normally within 2 months of being born. Registration is free within twelve months from child’s date of birth.

Responsibility of birth registration

• It is a mandatory requirement by law and the responsibility of both parents to register the birth of a child. In the case of death, illness or inability of father and mother, any person present at the birth or the occupier of the house may register the birth.
• In the case of a child born and admitted to a public institution or charitable or religious institution, it is the duty of the person in charge of the institution to ascertain from the mother of the child, the information and particulars required to be registered concerning the birth.
• For a new-born child found abandoned, the person who has found the child and has all the relevant information on the child can register the child or the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation under the care order or as the appointed guardian can register the child.

Required documents for registration of new born baby

• Notification of Birth from Hospital or Medical center
• Informants valid Photo ID
• VKB certificate (if iTaukei)

• Parents’ Marriage Certificate (if married overseas)
• Passport with valid legal status for non-Fiji citizens parents
• If child born out of a single parent, the person claiming to be the father and have accepted paternity with duly completed stats declaration. Both parents must sign the registration form at the registry.

• After the expiration of twelve months from the date of birth of a child, a penalty fee for failing to register a child within the time limit of one year is charged. Prescribed fee for late birth registration is $21.80.
• Late birth registration requires strict verification of both the parent/s identification and the child’s details. For proof of identification for parent/s and children refer to the information below.

Late Birth Registration (for any child below the age of 10)

Identification document for parents/guardian:

• Informants statutory declaration and valid photo ID
• Valid photo ID for 2 credible people
• Supporting statutory declaration from another next of kin
• List of siblings/issues from parents

Identification document for child:

• Confirmatory letter from Ministry of Health and Medical Services
• Confirmation letter from school attended
• Recent passport size photo
• VKB certificate (if iTaukei)
• Birth medical card (clinic cards)
• Child to be present before the BDM officer

 Late Birth Registration (for any person above the age of 10)

Identification document for parents/guardian:

• Informants statutory declaration and valid photo ID
• Valid photo ID for 2 credible people
• Supporting statutory declaration from another next of kin
• List of siblings/issues from parents
• Photo ID for 2 credible people

Identification document for person to be registered:

• Confirmatory letter from Ministry of Health and Medical Services
• Confirmation letter from school attended or Turaga ni Koro/Advisory councilor
• Recent passport size photo
• VKB certificate (if iTaukei)
• Birth medical card (clinic cards)
• Person to be registered to be present before the BDM officer

If child born is out of a single parent, the person claiming to be the father and have accepted paternity will be able add his particulars to child’s birth certificate, with mother’s consent and if child has attained the age of 18 years – child’s consent is also needed.

Required documents for addition of father’s particulars (for child below 18years):

• Statutory declaration of both parents
• Both parents valid photo ID
• VKB certificate (if iTaukei)
• If person claiming to be the father is a foreigner, need to provide his birth certificate/passport

Child above the age of 18:

• Statutory declaration of both parents
• Both parents valid photo ID
• VKB certificate (if iTaukei)
• Child’s consent (statutory declaration)
• Child’s valid photo ID
• If person claiming to be the father is a foreigner, need to provide his birth certificate and passport

Addition of father’s particulars – father alone (mother deceased):

• Father’s statutory declaration
• Father’s valid photo ID
• VKB certificate (if iTaukei)
• Child’s consent (statutory declaration)if child has attained the age of 18
• Child’s valid photo ID
• If person claiming to be the father is a foreigner; need to provide his birth certificate and passport
• Mother’s death certificate

Addition of father particulars – mother alone:

• Court order
• Mother photo ID
• VKB certificate (if iTaukei)

Legitimation of birth is a way for a father to claim legal parentage of a child born outside of Marriage.

Required documents for Legitimation of birth:

• Marriage certificate (if foreigners)
• Both parents valid photo ID

A name change includes amending any part of a name.

Parents of any child who has not attained the age of 18 years and has never been married may change their child’s name by providing these required documents:

• Executed Deed poll document with a recent passport size photo
• Valid photo ID of both parents
• Birth Certificate

Any person who has attained the age of 18 or is married or has at any time been married may by deed poll change his/her name, by providing these required documents:

• Executed Deed poll document with a recent passport size photo
• Valid photo ID
• Birth Certificate
• Police clearance

If information on a birth, death or marriage certificate issued by the Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages is incorrect or incomplete, you should contact the Registry to amend errors.

Applicant must provide the following:

• Valid photo ID of the two credible person (creditability to be determined by the BDM officer)
• Evidence or proof of document e.g. VKB certificate if correction is to be made to VKB details

Addition of surname where it is desired after registration to add to the surname of the child whose birth has been registered.

The process is only applicable to a child that is below the age of 18. Any addition of surname that is done within two months from the date of birth shall be free. Any addition done after two months, applicable fee of $10.90 will be charged.

Required document for addition of surname:

• Both parents with valid photo ID

-If the child is registered only under mother then only mother’s ID is required.

Confirmatory letters are issued upon request to confirm that actual records are kept at registry, whether it is single status confirmation, confirmation of change of person’s particulars, and confirmation of no records being found in the registry concerning a particular person.

In order for a search to be done, applicant will need to bring the following requirements to the Registry:

• Applicants signed request letter
• Valid Photo ID of applicant
• Search fee is $5.45