Birth Registrations & Certificates

The names you have chosen for your child must be on the birth registration. At birth, parents can give their children any first, middle or last name they choose. The names must be written in the Roman alphabet and the last name cannot contain more than two names hyphenated or combined. Hyphenated or combined last names must consist of only one last name of each parent.

In situations where the parents cannot agree on the child's last name, the last name must be the parents' last name if both parents have the same last name. If the parents have different last names, the child will be registered with both parents' last name hyphenated in alphabetical order.

The names from the birth registration will appear on the birth certificate.

Any changes to a child’s name after the child birth’s has been registered must be completed by applying for a change of name. In the case of adoption, however, no application is required.

Parents are listed on the birth registration. Birth certificates will show the parents as listed on the birth registration. A parent who is not on the birth registration will not be on the birth certificate.

However, if someone thinks they are a parent of a child but their name was not put on the birth registration, they can apply to be declared a parent. If they are declared to be a parent they can ask to have the registration amended to show them as a parent. Once amended, their name will show on the birth certificate.

A parent who is on the birth registration can apply to have another parent listed on the birth registration if they both agree. More than two parents can be listed if any parents that are already listed agree or the court orders that their consent is not required. A mother can always add the father if he agrees, whether or not other listed parents agree.

A person can only be added as a parent by agreement if they are the biological mother or father of the child or someone who is living with the mother or father at the time of the child’s birth in a spousal relationship who intends to be involved in the child’s upbringing.

The sex of the child is put on the birth registration and from there placed on the birth certificate. A parent can request a birth certificate that does not show the sex of their child. If the child is 15 years of age or older the child must make this request themselves.

Any adult can request a change of the sex designation on their birth registration from eHealth. A change on your birth registration will also change it on your birth certificate. People under 18 can also make this request if a physician or psychologist states that they have the capacity to make health care decisions.

You need to provide eHealth with a statutory declaration signed before a Commissioner of Oaths or a Notary Public. The declaration must include...

• your name as it appears on your birth registration
• your date of birth
• your mailing address, phone # and email (if any)
• the change to your sex designation that you are requesting
• a statement that you have assumed, identify with, and intend to maintain the gender identity that corresponds with the sex designation you are requesting

You will also need a letter from a physician or psychologist that states that they have treated and evaluated you and are of the opinion that you have assumed, identify with, and intend to maintain the gender identity that corresponds with sex designation you are requesting and that in their opinion the change is appropriate.

There is a fee of $20 to change your birth registration and a fee for a new birth certificate. You will need to return any copies you had of your birth certificate or birth registration.

Adults who were adopted and birth parents who gave children up for adoption can apply to see the adopted child’s birth registration. Adults who were adopted and birth parents who gave a child up for adoption can notify Post-Adoption Services that they do not want the birth registration released. They can also specify the type of contact, if any, they want to have with their birth parents or their child that was adopted. For more information see Post-Adoption Services.