How to Register a Birth in Sri Lanka

Step 01

If the baby was born in a hospital

The Births and Deaths Registrar assigned to that hospital or area registers the birth - ask the hospital which Registrar it is, or see the list of Births and Deaths Registrars (opens in a new tab). The father, the mother, a person present at the birth or in charge of the child, or the hospital's medical officer can notify it. Hand in the following documents.

• The completed registration form CR01
• The hospital report confirming the birth
• A photocopy of the parents' marriage certificate
• Photocopies of the parents' birth certificates
• The original and a photocopy of the informant's National Identity Card

Step 02

If the baby was born at home

Tell the Grama Niladhari within 7 days of the birth. The Grama Niladhari sends a birth report on form B23 to the Births and Deaths Registrar for the place of birth. The father, the mother, a person present at the birth or the guardian then hands the completed form CR01 to that Registrar, with the following documents.

• The completed registration form CR01
• A photocopy of the parents' marriage certificate
• Photocopies of the parents' birth certificates
• The original and a photocopy of the informant's National Identity Card

Step 03

If the baby was born on an estate

Tell the Estate Superintendent within 7 days of the birth. The father, the mother, a person present at the birth or the guardian can notify it. The Superintendent certifies the estate birth report and sends it with form CR01, through the District Medical Officer, to the Additional District Registrar at the Divisional Secretariat. The Additional District Registrar registers the birth and sends the certificate back to the Superintendent.

Step 04

Check and collect the copy of the birth register

Registration is free within 3 months of the birth, and the informant receives a copy of the birth register free of charge. Read it and check every detail before you leave.

Step 05

Registering late, between 3 months and one year

A birth not registered within 3 months is a late registration. Submit a declaration on form B6 (under Section 24 of the Births and Deaths Registration Act) to the Additional District Registrar at the Divisional Secretariat for the place of birth, who can approve it. One of the parents, the guardian or any interested person can submit it. The fee is Rs. 60. Hand in the following documents.

• The completed declaration form B6
• If the parents are married, a copy of their marriage certificate certified by the Divisional Secretariat
• One proof of the date and place of birth: the hospital birth report, the Grama Niladhari report (B23) or the estate birth report - the original or a certified copy - or a certificate from the Family Health Service Officer
• If you have none of these, one of: the Child Health Development Record (CHDR), a baptism certificate, a certified copy of the school admission register or student record book, a report from the Estate Welfare Officer, or a horoscope or birth chart made close to the date of birth
• If none of these can be obtained, the declaration form with the details you know, and an affidavit

Step 06

Registering more than one year late

The same Additional District Registrar at the Divisional Secretariat for the place of birth approves it - you just need more documents. Submit the declaration on form B6 with the fee of Rs. 60. Hand in the following documents.

• The completed declaration form B6
• A certificate that the birth has not been registered (nil result)
• If the parents are married, a copy of their marriage certificate certified by the Divisional Secretariat
• One proof of the date and place of birth: the hospital birth report, the Grama Niladhari report (B23) or the estate birth report - the original or a certified copy - or a certificate from the Family Health Service Officer
• If you have none of these, one of: the Child Health Development Record (CHDR), a baptism certificate, a certified copy of the school admission register or student record book, a report from the Estate Welfare Officer, or a horoscope or birth chart made close to the date of birth
• If none of these can be obtained, the declaration form with the details you know, and an affidavit

Step 07

Need more copies later?

The free copy you get at registration is not the same as later certified copies. To get certified copies afterwards, use the birth certificate copy guide (form B63).