Zimbabwe Birth Certificate — Registration, Replacement & How to Apply (2026)

Everything you need to know about obtaining, registering, or replacing a Zimbabwe birth certificate. Whether your child was born abroad or you need a replacement certificate, this guide covers the full process, costs, and required documents.

Quick Summary — Costs & Processing

$25

Birth Registration

Within 1 year

$50

Late Registration

After 1 year

$30

Replacement

4-6 weeks

Why You Need a Zimbabwe Birth Certificate

A Zimbabwe birth certificate is one of the most important civil documents. You will need it for:

  • Passport applications — required for first-time e-passport applications
  • National ID registration — you cannot get a Zimbabwe ID without a birth certificate
  • Citizenship proof — essential for proving Zimbabwean citizenship
  • School enrollment — both in Zimbabwe and internationally
  • Immigration applications — many countries require birth certificates for visa/permit applications
  • Marriage registration — needed for civil marriage in Zimbabwe
  • Inheritance claims — proof of familial relationships

Registering a Birth Abroad (Children Born Outside Zimbabwe)

If your child was born outside Zimbabwe and at least one parent is a Zimbabwean citizen, you should register the birth with the Zimbabwe government through your nearest embassy or consulate.

Required Documents:

  • Child's birth certificate issued by the country of birth (original + certified copy)
  • Both parents' Zimbabwe national ID cards or passports
  • Parents' marriage certificate (if applicable)
  • Completed BD3 form (Notice of Birth Abroad)
  • Proof of parents' Zimbabwe citizenship
  • Registration fee: $25 (within 1 year of birth) or $50 (late registration)

Process:

  1. Both parents should attend the embassy with the child (where possible)
  2. Submit the BD3 form with all supporting documents
  3. Pay the registration fee
  4. The embassy forwards the registration to the Registrar General's Office in Harare
  5. A Zimbabwe birth certificate is issued and sent back to the embassy (4-6 weeks for timely registration, 6-8 weeks for late registration)
  6. Collect the certificate from the embassy
Register early: If you register within 1 year of birth, it costs $25 and is processed faster. After 1 year, it is classified as "late registration" and costs $50 with additional documentation requirements.

Replacement Birth Certificate

If your birth certificate has been lost, damaged, or stolen, you can apply for a replacement through any Zimbabwe embassy or the Registrar General's Office in Harare.

Required Documents:

  • Completed application form for replacement certificate
  • Your Zimbabwe national ID card or passport
  • Sworn affidavit explaining why you need a replacement (lost, damaged, stolen)
  • Any old copies or photocopies of the original certificate (if available)
  • Parents' details (full names, ID numbers if known)
  • Fee: $30

Processing Time:

4-6 weeks when applying from abroad (the embassy forwards the request to Harare). In Zimbabwe, processing may be faster at the Registrar General's Office.

Birth Registration in Zimbabwe

For births occurring within Zimbabwe, registration should be done at the nearest District Registrar's Office or the Registrar General's Office in Harare.

Timely Registration (within 42 days):

  • Free of charge at the hospital or nearest district office
  • Parents present the hospital notification of birth
  • Both parents' IDs required

Late Registration:

  • After 42 days but within 1 year: nominal fee applies
  • After 1 year: $50 fee, additional sworn affidavits required
  • Witnesses may be needed to confirm details

Frequently Asked Questions

Timely registration (within 1 year) takes 4-6 weeks. Late registration takes 6-8 weeks. Replacement certificates take 4-6 weeks. These times apply when applying through a Zimbabwe embassy or consulate abroad.

Ideally both parents attend, but if one parent cannot be present, the attending parent should bring a consent letter from the absent parent, along with a certified copy of the absent parent's ID or passport. If the parents are unmarried, the mother can register alone, and the father's details can be added later through an amendment.

If you want your child to be recognised as a Zimbabwean citizen and be able to obtain a Zimbabwe passport and ID, then yes, you should register the birth. The registration confirms Zimbabwean citizenship by descent. Your child's foreign birth certificate alone does not establish Zimbabwean citizenship.

Yes, you can apply for an amendment to correct errors on your birth certificate. This requires a sworn affidavit detailing the error, supporting documents (e.g., school records, marriage certificate showing correct name), and a fee. Apply at a Zimbabwe embassy or the Registrar General's Office.

Fees at a Glance

  • Birth Registration (timely)$25
  • Late Registration$50
  • Replacement Certificate$30
  • Amendment/Correction$20
Full Fee Schedule

Related Pages

Fee Schedule 2026 Passport Renewal e-Passport Guide Download Forms South Africa Embassy UK Embassy All Embassies