Births and Deaths Registration Act
13.
14.
Zimbabwe
Registration of birth occurring outside Zimbabwe
(1)
In the case of a birth occurring outside Zimbabwe of a child whose father or, in the case of a child
born out of wedlock, whose mother, is at the time of his birth a citizen of Zimbabwe otherwise than
by descent, notice of the birth may be given to the Registrar-General, in the form and in the manner
prescribed, by any responsible person referred to in subsection (1) of section eleven.
(2)
Sections eleven and twelve shall apply, mutatis mutandis, in respect of the birth of a child born out
of wedlock occurring outside Zimbabwe.
(3)
The Registrar-General may refuse to register a birth referred to in subsection (1) where the person
whose birth it is sought to register has attained the age of eighteen years, unless the RegistrarGeneral is satisfied that that person is a citizen of Zimbabwe.
Registration of birth of adopted child born outside Zimbabwe
Where an order has been made under any law for the adoption of a child born outside Zimbabwe, the
Registrar-General shall, on the application of the adopter and on production of—
(a)
the order of adoption or certified copy thereof; and
(b)
the birth or baptismal certificate of the child or a certified copy thereof or, if no such certificate is
available, such documentary evidence relating to the birth of the child as he considers sufficient;
and
(c)
the form prescribed for use in connection with the registration of a birth, completed as far as may
be possible and signed by the adopter; and
(d)
proof that the adopter or, in the case of a joint adoption, the male adopter, was a citizen of
Zimbabwe at the date of the order of adoption;
cause the birth of the child to be recorded in his register and in the register of births of the district in
which the order of adoption was made and shall cause the fact of adoption and a statement as to whether
the name of the adopter was or was not conferred on the child by virtue of the adoption to be recorded on
the form referred to in paragraph (c) and filed in his office and to be recorded against the entry of the birth
in the register of births of the district in which the birth was recorded.
15.
Notice of birth of abandoned child
If any new-born living child is found abandoned it shall be the duty of any person who has attained the
age of eighteen years finding such child or, failing such person, of any person over the age of eighteen
years in whose charge it may be placed, within forty-two days of finding such child or, as the case may be,
taking charge of it, to give to the registrar of the district in which such child was found or taken charge
of, notice of the birth in the prescribed form and to furnish to the best of his knowledge the prescribed
particulars.
16.
Registration of birth where place or date thereof unknown
Where notice of the birth of any person is given under this Act but at the time of the giving of such notice
the place or date of such birth, or both, are not known, the Registrar-General, after due inquiry, may direct
the registration of such birth notwithstanding the lack of such information and may assign to such child a
putative place or date of birth, or both, as the case may be.
17.
Notice of birth given by persons who are not responsible persons
Notwithstanding section eleven or fifteen, the Registrar-General may permit notice of birth to be given in
terms of either of the said sections by a person other than a responsible person if the Registrar-General
is satisfied, on production of such evidence as he considers necessary, as to the information contained in
such notice.
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