Exploring the Interface Between Birth Registration and Citizenship Determination: A Scoping Study in Seven Countries in Southern Africa Children born in the country: Denoting citizenship on the birth registration record and certificate All seven countries record the citizenship of the parent(s) in the birth registration record. In addition, 6 out of 7 countries (all but the Republic of Congo), the citizenship of the child is either explicitly recorded, or denoted in some other manner, in the birth registration record. Four of the seven countries (Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi and Namibia) explicitly record the citizenship of the child in the birth registration record. Two countries denote the citizenship of the child in other ways: In Eswatini the child’s UIN (which is in the birth registration record) indicates citizenship through a numeric code, and in South Africa, the birth of a child of citizens and permanent residents is recorded in the electronic register. The births of all other children are recorded in a paper register only, thereby denoting the child’s non-citizenship status. Only the Republic of Congo does not denote the child’s citizenship in the birth registration record. In all seven countries, the citizenship status of the parent(s) and/or child is reflected in some way on the birth certificate. As described below, some countries explicitly state the citizenship of parents(s) and child, while other countries indicate citizenship by the UIN or other markings, or by the certificate itself. • In Botswana, the citizenship of the parent(s) and the child is stated on the birth certificate, denoted by an “F” for foreigner, a “C” for citizen, and “CD” for dual citizen. • In Malawi, the parent’s citizenship is indicated on the birth certificate. Only children born to a father or mother who is a citizen of Malawi are assigned a national ID number, which is printed on the birth certificate. For other children, this section of the birth certificate is left blank, thereby indicating non-citizenship status. • In Eswatini, the parents' citizenship is shown on the birth certificate. Different numeric characters in UIN denote if the child is a citizen or non-citizen. • In Lesotho, a child determined to be a foreigner is issued an abridged birth certificate, while a child determined to be a citizen is issued a full birth certificate. In addition, only citizens are assigned a UIN at birth registration and this UIN appears on the full certificate. The parents’ citizenship is also written on the birth certificate. • In Namibia, there are two distinct formats for birth certificates, one used for citizens and another for non-citizens. The parents’ citizenship is not written on the birth certificate. • In the Republic of Congo, the birth certificate states the citizenship status of the parents only. • In South Africa, only citizens and permanent residents are issued with UIN’s and electronic birth certificates. Children of foreigners who are not permanent residents are issued with paper notices of births, and the records are kept only in paper registers, thereby denoting non-citizenship status. Table 2 summarizes the citizenship data in the birth registration record and on the birth certificate. 15