The process of registering a birth

Registering all born children is vital because it enables the state to recognize and adequately plan for them. To register the newborn, the mother fills out the notification document at the hospital, witnessed by at least two adults who are not the child’s biological parents.

Who can witness a birth?

Various people can witness a birth, and they range from lawyers, doctors, midwives, or even a person assisting in birth if the delivery happened at home. Any adult person other than the biological parents can witness the birth and sign a birth declaration form. A declaration form which is filled by the parent and approved by the witness at birth helps register the child in birth and deaths registry according to the state law. If the delivery occurs in a hospital, the midwife or the doctor should inform the birth registry.

How to trace a person who witnessed a birth

If childbirth happened at a hospital and with a registered doctor or a midwife, it might be easy to locate them in time of need by using hospital records in case they transferred to another hospital. If the birth occurred in a place without a registered doctor, the parents are advised to keep in touch with the witness. It is also crucial to have their contacts and their home address just in case their assistance is needed later.

Parents should ensure that if the birth occurred at home or any other place apart from birthing facilities, the child should be rushed to the hospital within 24 hours and should have two independent adult witnesses present at the birth. The witness at birth must have seen the birth happen and should be able to answer a particular section containing questions specific questions about the delivery as requested by the state’s law.