The administration of the registration system is a matter for An tArd-Chláraitheoir, the Registrar-General of Births, Deaths and Marriages, and for local registrars who operate under his general direction.
A birth certificate is a certified copy of an entry in the register of births. There is a statutory obligation on parents to register the birth of a child and a birth may only be registered in the district in which it occurred. Where it is established that a birth has not been previously registered, it is possible to effect registration provided the information, required by law to be registered, is available, particularly information in relation to the date and place of birth. The authority of An tArd Chláraitheoir is required for the registration of a birth, where more than 12 months has elapsed, since the date of birth. A statutory declaration setting out the particulars to be registered is required and, in addition, An tArd Chláraitheoir will seek some independent confirmation of details, as set out in the declaration.
An tArd Chláraitheoir has not been able to locate a particular application for the late registration of a birth matching the details provided by the Deputy. However he understands that there was an inquiry with his office in recent months from a person who lacked certain of the basic information necessary to register a birth and this call may relate to the Deputy's question. The above mentioned requirements for the late registration of the birth were explained to the person concerned.
