Somalia

A well developed and functioning civil registration system ensures the registration of all vital events including births, marriages and deaths and issues relevant certificates as proof of such registration. Civil registration promotes efficient government planning, effective use of resources and aid, and more accurate monitoring of progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

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Birth Registration

Legal framework for birth registration The Child Act (2010)

Civil Registry Act (2011, article 20)

Official authorities in charge of registering births Civil Registration Authority, Ministry of the Interior

Department of Statistics’ Birth and Death Register, Ministry of Health

Central Bureau of Statistics

Organizational structure Decentralized
Is there a legal obligation to register the birth of a child? Yes
Is an official birth certificate issued as a result of birth registration? Yes, and issued immediately if requested in the first year because it is free.
Legal informant to register a birth Health institution, Midwife, Mother or father of the child
Time allowed for registration Within 15–30 days of birth
Fee for birth registration No
Can the fee be increased or waived? N/A
Fee for birth certificate No
Penalty for late registration No; Children up to 15 years can be registered at local Civil Registry Offices. Registration of children older than 15 are referred with a letter from the Civil Registry to the Medical Commission Functioning for age estimation.

However, birth certificates requested after the first year of birth involve nominal fees.

Other official fees involved in the birth registration process No
Requirements or fees specific to children who are eligible for citizenship but were born outside the country No
Requirements or fees specific to children whose parents are foreign nationals No
Requirements for birth registration Information to register
Information collected Regarding the child: Name, Sex of child, Time and date of birth,

Regarding the mother of the child: Full name, Occupation, Place of residence

Regarding the father of the child: Full name, Occupation, Place of residence, Religion

Regarding the declarant: Full name

Processing Manually (on paper), Electronically
Place of registration Local registration offices, Place of birth;

Health institutions in which the birth occurred and health authorities supporting a birth send a copy of the birth notification form to the registrar.

A birth certificate is required for: Identification, Citizenship, Education, Health care, Legal protection (from early marriage, child labour, premature enlistment in armed forces, prosecution as an adult)
Process for establishing vital statistics on births

 

Data sources: Information on civil registration systems was compiled over a period from December 2016 to November 2017 using the existing relevant legal frameworks and in consultation with CRVS experts, officials within the relevant national institutions, and UNICEF country offices. All reasonable precautions have been taken by UNICEF to verify this country profile; updates will be made to reflect changes in policy and implementation and/or new information.

 

Marriage Registration

Legal framework for marriage registration Muslim Personal Law Act (1991)
Official authorities in charge of registering a marriage Ministry of Justice

Traditional Courts

Organizational structure Decentralized
Legal age for marriage There is no minimum age of marriage in Sudan.
Is there a legal obligation to register marriages? Yes
Is an official marriage certificate issued as a result of marriage registration?  Yes
Legal informant to register a marriage Church officials authorized to perform marriage ceremonies, Spouses
Time allowed for registration
Fee for marriage registration No
Can the fee be increased or waived? No
Fee for marriage certificate No
Penalty for late registration No
Other official fees involved in the marriage registration process No
Additional registration requirements or fees if one spouse was born outside the country or has dual citizenship None
Requirements for marriage registration Spouses must meet the legal requirement for age of marriage.
Information collected
Processing Manually (on paper), Electronically
Place of registration Church where marriage occurred, Civil court
A marriage certificate is required for: Inheritance of property, Legal consequences
Process for establishing vital statistics on marriage

 

Data sources: Information on civil registration systems was compiled over a period from December 2016 to November 2017 using the existing relevant legal frameworks and in consultation with CRVS experts, officials within the relevant national institutions, and UNICEF country offices. All reasonable precautions have been taken by UNICEF to verify this country profile; updates will be made to reflect changes in policy and implementation and/or new information.

 

Death Registration

Legal framework for death registration Civil Registry Act (2011, article 23)
Official authorities in charge of registering a death Civil Registration Authority, Ministry of the Interior

Department of Statistics’ Birth and Death Register, Ministry of Health

Central Bureau of Statistics

Organizational structure Decentralized
Is there a legal obligation to register deaths? Yes
Is an official death certificate issued as a result of death registration?  Yes
Legal informant to register a death Relatives of the deceased, Health institutions and other health authorities where the death occurred;

If the death is in a hospital, then no witnesses are needed; if at home, then an official letter from the popular committee in that area is required.

Time allowed for registration 7 days from the date of death
Fee for death registration No
Can the fee be increased or waived? Not applicable
Fee for death certificate No
Penalty for late registration No
Other official fees involved in the death registration process None
Registration requirements or fees specific for the deaths of people who were residents in the country and also of foreign nationality None
Requirements for death registration None
Information collected Regarding the deceased: Name,  Sex, Date of birth or age

Regarding the death: Pre-existing causes of death, Burial permit in detail, cause of death, date of death, place of death

Information collected in case of fetal death Fetal deaths are registered
Processing Manually (on paper), Electronically
Place of registration Local registration offices

Health institutions in which the death occurred and the relevant health authorities send a copy of the notification of death form to the registrar.

A death certificate is required for: Burial permit, Certification that the death occurred from natural causes
Process for establishing vital statistics on deaths

 

Data sources: Information on civil registration systems was compiled over a period from December 2016 to November 2017 using the existing relevant legal frameworks and in consultation with CRVS experts, officials within the relevant national institutions, and UNICEF country offices. All reasonable precautions have been taken by UNICEF to verify this country profile; updates will be made to reflect changes in policy and implementation and/or new information.