Birth Registrations & Certificates

The names you have chosen for your child must be on the birth registration. At birth, parents can give their child any first, middle or last name they choose. The names from the birth registration will appear on the birth certificate. There are some restrictions, however…

• Names must be written using the Roman alphabet.
• Names cannot have numbers or special symbols.
• Last names cannot have more than two hyphenated or combined names.
• Hyphenated or combined last names must consist of only one last name of each parent.
• Names may be rejected if they are confusing, offensive of embarrassing to the child or another person.

In situations where the parents cannot agree on the child's last name:

• if both parents have the same last name, the child’s last name will be the parents' last name
• if both parents have a different last name, the child’s last name will be both parents' last name hyphenated in alphabetical order
• if one or both parents have a different hyphenated last name, they can only choose one of the names in their hyphenated last name to be in the child’s hyphenated last name

If you want to change your child's name after the birth has been registered, you must apply for a change of name. In the case of adoption, however, you do not need to apply.

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 you think you are a parent and are not listed on the birth registration, you can apply to be declared a parent. If you are declared to be a parent, you can then ask to have the registration amended to show this. Once amended, your name will show on the birth certificate.

A parent can be added to the birth registration if:

• all the parents that are already on the birth registration agree, even if there are already two parents listed
• they are the biological father and the biological mother agrees, whether or not any other listed parents agree
• a court orders that they be listed on the birth registration

A person who is not a biological parent of the child cannot be added to the birth registration without a court order if they do not:

• cohabit with a biological parent and
• intend to be involved in the child’s upbringing

The sex of the child is entered 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.

To do this, 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 number and email (if any)
• the change to your sex designation that you are requesting
• a statement that you identify with and intend to maintain the gender identity that matches the sex designation you are requesting

You also need a letter from a physician or psychologist stating that they:

• have treated and evaluated you
• are of the opinion that you identify with and intend to maintain the gender identity that matches the sex designation you are requesting
• are of the opinion that the change is appropriate

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

An adult who was adopted as a child and their birth parents can:

• apply to see the birth registration
• notify Post-Adoption Services that they do not want the birth registration released
• 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.