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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
Sri Lanka
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Sri Lanka
Birth Registration
ID and Related Services
ID and Related Services
Unique Personal Identifier (UPI)
Is proof of birth registration required by law to issue a national ID card?
No
Recommended Practice based on International Guidelines
Law Source
Sri Lanka
Legal Analysis
Though the law (BDRA) does not mention this, there is a requirement in practice to produce a birth certificate or an extract of birth certificate in order to register for a National ID card. Registration of Persons Act 1971 (for National ID) does not make a birth certificate mandatory in law to issue national ID either.
Law Source
Is proof of birth registration required in order to access any public services?
Yes
Recommended Practice based on International Guidelines
Law Source
Sri Lanka
Legal Analysis
Yes, in practice and through laws (not the BDRA), birth certificates are required to obtain National ID card, drivers license, passport, admission to schools, marriage and voter registrations and insurance.Though the Registration of Persons Act 1971 (for National ID), Motor Traffic Act 1951 (for driver's license) and Registration of Electors Act 1980 (for voter registration) do not make a birth certificate mandatory in law to acquire respective documents, in practice birth certificates are requested to issue National ID, driver's license and voter ID.
Is a Unique Personal Identifier (UPI) assigned at birth registration for every child born in the country?
Yes
Recommended Practice based on International Guidelines
Law Source
Sri Lanka
Legal Analysis
Yes, a 12-digit serial number is to be issued for all new birth certificates since July 2020. This number can be used to obtain a national ID card, when a citizen completes 15 years of age.
Law Source
Is the original birth certificate provided free of charge?
Yes
Recommended Practice based on International Guidelines
Law Source
Sri Lanka
Legal Analysis
The law requires the competent Registrar to prepare three copies of the birth certificate, and to "deliver or transmit by post" free of charge the third copy to the informant.
Registration Linked to Access to Key Services and Other Incentives
Is proof of birth registration required by law to issue a national ID card?
No
Recommended Practice based on International Guidelines
Law Source
Sri Lanka
Legal Analysis
Though the law (BDRA) does not mention this, there is a requirement in practice to produce a birth certificate or an extract of birth certificate in order to register for a National ID card. Registration of Persons Act 1971 (for National ID) does not make a birth certificate mandatory in law to issue national ID either.
Law Source
Is proof of birth registration required in order to access any public services?
Yes
Recommended Practice based on International Guidelines
Law Source
Sri Lanka
Legal Analysis
Yes, in practice and through laws (not the BDRA), birth certificates are required to obtain National ID card, drivers license, passport, admission to schools, marriage and voter registrations and insurance.Though the Registration of Persons Act 1971 (for National ID), Motor Traffic Act 1951 (for driver's license) and Registration of Electors Act 1980 (for voter registration) do not make a birth certificate mandatory in law to acquire respective documents, in practice birth certificates are requested to issue National ID, driver's license and voter ID.
Is a Unique Personal Identifier (UPI) assigned at birth registration for every child born in the country?
Yes
Recommended Practice based on International Guidelines
Law Source
Sri Lanka
Legal Analysis
Yes, a 12-digit serial number is to be issued for all new birth certificates since July 2020. This number can be used to obtain a national ID card, when a citizen completes 15 years of age.
Law Source
Is the original birth certificate provided free of charge?
Yes
Recommended Practice based on International Guidelines
Law Source
Sri Lanka
Legal Analysis
The law requires the competent Registrar to prepare three copies of the birth certificate, and to "deliver or transmit by post" free of charge the third copy to the informant.
Is proof of birth registration required by law to issue a national ID card?
No
Recommended Practice based on International Guidelines
Law Source
Sri Lanka
Legal Analysis
Though the law (BDRA) does not mention this, there is a requirement in practice to produce a birth certificate or an extract of birth certificate in order to register for a National ID card. Registration of Persons Act 1971 (for National ID) does not make a birth certificate mandatory in law to issue national ID either.
Law Source
Is proof of birth registration required in order to access any public services?
Yes
Recommended Practice based on International Guidelines
Law Source
Sri Lanka
Legal Analysis
Yes, in practice and through laws (not the BDRA), birth certificates are required to obtain National ID card, drivers license, passport, admission to schools, marriage and voter registrations and insurance.Though the Registration of Persons Act 1971 (for National ID), Motor Traffic Act 1951 (for driver's license) and Registration of Electors Act 1980 (for voter registration) do not make a birth certificate mandatory in law to acquire respective documents, in practice birth certificates are requested to issue National ID, driver's license and voter ID.
Is a Unique Personal Identifier (UPI) assigned at birth registration for every child born in the country?
Yes
Recommended Practice based on International Guidelines
Law Source
Sri Lanka
Legal Analysis
Yes, a 12-digit serial number is to be issued for all new birth certificates since July 2020. This number can be used to obtain a national ID card, when a citizen completes 15 years of age.
Law Source
Is the original birth certificate provided free of charge?
Yes
Recommended Practice based on International Guidelines
Law Source
Sri Lanka
Legal Analysis
The law requires the competent Registrar to prepare three copies of the birth certificate, and to "deliver or transmit by post" free of charge the third copy to the informant.
