Welcome to the article about the requirements for a birth certificate in Cameroon. Obtaining a birth certificate is an important process that Cameroon
Welcome to the article about the requirements for a birth certificate in Cameroon. Obtaining a birth certificate is an important process that Cameroon citizens must complete to have official proof of their birth.
It is also necessary to produce documents such as national ID cards, passports, driver’s licenses, etc.
Here, we will discuss the application process and your requirements for a birth certificate in Cameroon.
We will examine the requirements that must be met to receive a birth certificate, including information that needs to be provided to help make the process easier.
Requirements for a Birth Certificate in Cameroon
What is a Birth Certificate?
A birth certificate is an official civil document established after a child is born. It records information about the individual, like place, time, and gender. The birth certificate also records the parentage of the newborn.
What are the Uses of a Birth Certificate?
The birth certificate is essential, the first civil document of any individual, establishing a person’s legal existence. The birth certificate is needed to create vital documents, e.g., a national ID card, voter’s card, driving license, passport, etc.
It is also required when carrying out essential activities like enrolling in a school, sitting for an examination, and even applying for jobs.
The birth certificate is a handy document in many legal, economic, and civic procedures.
What are the Requirements to Establish a Birth Certificate in Cameroon?
The procedure for establishing a birth certificate depends on the particular scenario. There are three main scenarios:
1. Establishing a birth certificate at birth (0-3 months after birth)
2. Establishing a birth certificate for a baby (3 months-6 months after birth)
3. Establishing a birth certificate for an infant older than six months or an adult
See Also: How to Apply for Maternity Leave in Cameroon
Case 1: Establishing a Birth Certificate at Birth (0-90 days old)
If the child is born in a hospital, the medical doctor and midwives can declare the birth within 30 days. If this is not done, the parents or anyone who witnessed the child’s birth can declare the birth before a civil status registrar within another 60 days.
This is done at the local council or the Civil status Registry in the locality where the child was born. The procedure is free of charge, and a Civil Status Registrar issues the birth certificate.
However, it is essential to note that birth certificates for children born out of wedlock must be registered in the civil status registry, and a court declaration must be issued.
The following conditions must be met:
- The mother must give her consent, and it must be in the presence of two (2) witnesses;
- The father, mother, witnesses, and civil status registrar must sign a court declaration.
- In cases where one of the parents is a minor, their consent should be given by the father, mother, or guardian. Such consent can be given verbally before the civil status registrar or in writing. The written permission must be duly notarized and taken to the register.
- If the mother is not legally married to the father or is a widow, the space for the father would be left empty.
Case 2: 91 days to 6 Months after Birth
To establish the birth certificate of a child 91 to 180 days after birth, the parents or witnesses must present one of the following documents to the civil Status registrar:
- National ID card
- A passport
- Driving license
- Voter’s card
- Birth certificate
Without these documents, the parents or any other witness may still fill out the birth declaration form, leaving the spaces for Nationality and the ID card number empty.
But they must obtain authorization from the magistrate of the locality where the child was born for the birth declaration to be made within six months after birth.
After these six months, the procedure becomes lengthy, costly, and complicated.
Read More: How to Verify Cameroon National ID Card Online
Case 3: Establishing a Birth Certificate for an Infant Older than Six Months or for an Adult
This is where it becomes complicated, lengthy, and costly. In this case, you must obtain a court judgment through a court procedure before applying for the birth certificate from the council of the area where the individual was born.
What Steps are Taken to Establish a Birth Certificate Using a Court Judgment?
The documents needed to apply for a court judgment are:
- A certificate of estimated age, signed by a medical doctor
- A declaration of the non-existence of the birth certificate or a copy, signed by the mayor of the area of birth of the individual
- A handwritten application addressed to the court president
- Payment of the processing fee
Court hearings, investigation, and eventual ruling by the judge will follow this.
If the application of court judgment is granted, this will be taken and submitted at the council of the area of birth of the individual for a birth certificate to be established.
Conclusion
Establishing a birth certificate is a fundamental right of every individual at birth, and its importance cannot be overemphasized. Between 0 to 3 months, establishing a birth certificate is an easy, straightforward, and completely cost-free exercise.
But this procedure becomes lengthy, stressful, costly, and complicated when the child is six months old and above. Therefore, making the child’s birth certificate as soon as they are born is advisable to avoid undesirable obstacles.
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