certificates and has identified alternative sources of proving marriage.63 In 2013, in order to ensure that all children are born with legal documentation, Lebanon simplified the birth registration procedure, and issued directives to local authorities reaffirming that birth certificates should be issued to Syrian children born in Lebanon. Iraq has similarly prioritized birth registration for all children of concern, including refugees, and in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, the authorities have adopted flexible birth registration procedures. These changes have had a dramatic impact on birth registration the region, with the number of children born in Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Egypt and Turkey each year without any form of identity documents reducing rom 35% in 2012 to 1% in 2020. This means that children will grow up more likely to be able to access public services including education, health and social services, and are protected from some of the negative consequences which may arise due to lack of registration, such as early marriage or early entry to the labour market, before they have reached the minimum legal age. 27