President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has ratified the Birth and Death Registration Act, which allows authorities to levy a huge fine on parents who do not register their child’s birth within seven days.
The Birth and Death Registration Act specifies guidelines and policies governing the registration of births, the formal declaration of deaths, and the issuing of national identification cards. It also prescribes penalties for the breach of law. The registration of births and deaths of Maldivian citizens abroad will require the submission of birth or death certificates issued by a government agency of the respective country. The law further states that parents will incur a fine of up to USD649 on failure to register their child’s birth within seven days. The amount of the fine will depend on the reason for the negligence.
Furthermore, the law states that the death of a Maldivian abroad should be notified to the relevant authority via the submission of documents obtained by the relevant authority of the foreign nation. It also states that parents should request for the birth certificates of children born in the country or abroad within six months.
In addition, Maldivians who change information on birth or death certificates or national identification cards or cause damage to the documents will incur a fine between USD649-974. A state institution that changes or damages the documents will incur a fine between USD974-1,623.
The Birth and Death Registration Act has been published in the Government Gazette and is now in effect. The law repeals the Birth Registration and Death Registration Act and Annex 1 of the General Regulations Act.