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Disclaimer / Limitations
This country’s legal measures were reviewed by our legal staff in consultation with in-country lawyers and/or CRVS legal experts. All efforts were made to ensure the accuracy of the legal analysis, however, if you consider there to be any discrepancies or if there have been changes in the law of the country since our staff last updated the legal analysis, we welcome any additional information or insights. Please contact us via this form.
Birth Registration
Papua New Guinea
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Papua New Guinea
Birth Registration
ID and Related Services
ID and Related Services
Unique Personal Identifier (UPI)
Is a Unique Personal Identifier (UPI) assigned at birth registration for every child born in the country?
Yes, UPI assigned for every child born in country
Recommended Practice based on International Guidelines
The UN guidance recommends that a unique personal identifier (UPI) is assigned and entered into the birth record for every child born within the territory of the country, regardless of citizenship, ethnicity, nationality, or residency status. This facilitates the linkage of records in the CR and ID systems.
A “unique identity number” is assigned at birth registration for every child born in the country. Children born to a citizen of Papua New Guinea outside of Papua New Guinea are also issued with a unique identity number when their birth is recorded in accordance with the Civil Identity and Registration Act.
Registration Linked to Access to Key Services and Other Incentives
Is proof of birth registration required in order to access any public services?
Yes
Recommended Practice based on International Guidelines
Birth certificate should be requested to access public services, such as child immunizations and wellness checks, school enrolllment, etc. Absence of a birth certificate should not prevent the child from accessing healthcare, education, or other services. However, if health workers (such as vaccination workers, doctors, nurses) or other public servants see an unregistered child, they can use the opportunity to report the birth or educate the parents about birth registration.
According to Section 47(2) of the Civil Identity and Registration Act, a birth certificate is the legal document of identification for children under 18 years, while Section 48(2) makes a National Identity Card the legal identity document for a citizen of Papua New Guinea who is 18 years and above.
Section 48(5) states that the head of the relevant facility or agency should request a birth certificate from persons below age 18 for purposes of enrolment in school, access to health services, and registration for voting, and request a national identity card from persons age 18 and above for these purposes.
According to Section 48(6), in the absence of either document, the head of the facility or agency must facilitate birth registration or national identity card registration, as appropriate, but must not deny access to the service in question.
Is proof of birth registration required by law to issue a national ID card?
Yes
Recommended Practice based on International Guidelines
For those born in the country, birth registration should be required in order to register for a national ID. For refugees, migrants or stateless persons born outside the country and lacking proof of birth registration from country of origin, the law should provide alternative means to validate their identity and obtain identity credentials.
A citizen’s unique identification number issued at birth registration is required to issue a National Identity Card when that person reaches the age of 18 years. If a person's birth has not been previously registered under Section 27 or recorded under Section 31 (which covers births outside Papua New Guinea to citizens), the Registrar-General must register or record that person’s birth at the time of registration for the National Identity Card.
