Page 353 - Invited Paper Session (IPS) - Volume 1

IPS164 Sam N.

Birth registration: An essential element for the
individual and for government
F. Sam Notzon
Director, International Statistics Program, National Center for Health Statistics, CDC

Abstract
Birth registration establishes the identity of the individual, is a requirement
for many government services (education, health services, etc.), and provides
data useful for researchers, government and others. The article describes the
importance of birth registration for the individual and others, considers
measures to improve birth registration completene ss in low- and middle-
income countries, and cites various applications of birth registration data.
The focus of the proposed improvement measures is on reasonable-cost,
sustainable improvements for low-resource countries.

Keywords
Civil registration; birth registration; vital statistics

1. Introduction
According to the United Nations, birth registration is required to establish
the identity of the individual and to safeguard individual rights to social status
and benefits. Birth registration is best assured through a civil registration
system, that is, the continuous, permanent and compulsory recording of the
occurrence and characteristics of all vital events, in accordance with the laws
of each country. Once collected, this information on births is used to produce
1
legally valid birth certificates and birth statistics. The characteristics of birth
registration within a civil registration system – continuity, permanence and
universality – make it extremely useful in addressing the individual and
governance needs of a country. Consequently, all developed and most
developing countries ensure registration of births via a civil registration
system.

2. Advantages of birth registration
As noted, birth registration is important for both the individual and the
state. Birth registration and the subsequent issuance of a birth certificate are
crucial elements in establishing the identity of the individual. Birth certificates
provide proof of place of birth and parentage, information essential in

1 United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Statistics Division. Principles and
Recommendations for a Vital Statistics System. Statistical Papers, Series M, No. 19/Rev 3.
United Nations, New York, 2014.
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