parents did not have birth registration either. Compared to the 2015 survey, when most respondents claimed
their parents were not registered with the civil register of births or lacked birth certificates, the greatest
proportion of responses in this round focused on ignorance of the procedure and its complexity. This finding
reveals the need to do more to raise awareness amongst persons at risk of statelessness of the importance
of birth registration and give them support to complete this process.
Figure 4.4.4. Key reasons for not registering with the civil register of births, RAE individuals at risk of
statelessness in Serbia (%)
Enrollment must be conducted abroad
12
Expensive
12
Complicated procedure
24
Not informed about the procedure
28
Destroyed or missing birth registries
12
There is no evidence required for registration
28
Parents not registered in BR or have no certificate
8
Parents are not alive /known /available
12
Three-quarters of the respondents in the sampled settlements reported attempting to register with the
civil register of births, either on their own or with someone’s help, whilst a total of 26 percent claimed never
to have made any such attempts. In 31 percent of all cases the registration procedure was handled by the
courts or administrative bodies, whilst in 38 cases no procedure took place as the applicant received an
oral rejection.
Figure 4.4.5. Have you ever tried register with the civil register of births (or has anyone tried to do so on
your behalf)? (%)
35
39
26
Yes, I tried
Yes, someone else tried in
my name
Have not tried
PERSONS AT RISK OF STATELESSNESS IN SERBIA
OVERVIEW OF CURRENT SITUATION AND THE WAY FORWARD
25