Birth registering made easy

Thousands of parents are using a new Births, Deaths and Marriages online service to register the birth of their child.

The service, recently launched by the Department of Internal Affairs, is aimed at being a quicker and easier way to register births than using the old paper system.


The online registration system has proved popular with new parents.

Registrar-General of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Jeff Montgomery, says: 'We want to encourage parents to register the birth of their child and putting birth registration online is already having a positive effect, with more than 1000 online registrations since our launch on last Monday.

'Accurate and timely birth registration is a right of all 57,000 children born in New Zealand each year. Children are entitled to know who their parents are.

'Recording both parents on a child's birth registration provides evidence of the person's identity, descent and whakapapa.

'It's essential that the official birth record is correct for many reasons. Some entitlements, for example, inheritance and benefits received under trusts, depend on a person establishing that they are the son or daughter of the benefactor.

'Similarly, certain government grants and benefits depend on a parent-child relationship being established.

'In addition, a child may be able to claim citizenship status through a parent, and a birth certificate will provide prima facie evidence of that relationship.

'Ensuring the integrity of our records is a vital part of good government where the public relies on such records.

Mr Montgomery says the online birth form and the separate ability for customers to use their RealMe verified account to get copies of births, deaths, marriage records are examples of the Department making things easier for its customers.

The account can also be used to verify special 175th Treaty of Waitangi birth and citizenship certificates as well as civil union and name change records.

'Our aim is to put the customer at the centre of everything we do,” adds Jeff. 'We welcome suggestions from customers about how we can continue to do that better.”

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