5. RIGHT TO SUBSEQUENT BIRTH REGISTRATION AND ACTUAL PRACTICE 5.1 Birth certificate Nearly one-half of those surveyed (45 percent) reported having obtained birth certificates within the year preceding the survey, with another 37 percent claiming to have done so within the previous one to five years. Various reasons were reported for taking out these certificates, including to gain access to social welfare payments (48 percent); enrol children in school (24 percent); and satisfy official requirements (19 percent). Figure 5.1.1. When did you last take out a birth certificate? (%) More than five years ago 9 1 to 5 years ago 37 In last year Doesn’t know 45 9 As many as 70 percent of those surveyed who had been faced with an official requirement to provide a birth certificate were unaware, they did not have an obligation to supply one and that the authorities could obtain one ex officio. This finding reveals there is remains room to raise awareness in the RAE population of the General Administrative Procedure Law so as to ensure they know their rights in this regard. 42 PERSONS AT RISK OF STATELESSNESS IN SERBIA OVERVIEW OF CURRENT SITUATION AND THE WAY FORWARD