Villagers in Cikobia, in the Lau Group, were reminded this week on the importance of birth registrations.
A delegation led by the Divisional Commissioner Eastern Netani Rika visited the village and highlighted the importance of this process when attempting to seek state assistance.
The Register General’s official Ms Kalisi Senimaoli, is also part of the Government team touring the Lau group and said that basic assistance cannot be provided without this basic identification.
“This is one of the most important certificates in this day and age. It is required to be attached with most applications that we fill. You need a birth certificate in education, housing, social welfare, banks, passport, marriage to name a few,” Ms Senimaoli.
Ms Senimaoli also reminded young mothers to keep their notification of birth in a safe place all the time.
“I am reminding mothers to keep their notification of birth paper in a secure place after giving birth. The notification of birth will be required in applying for a child’s birth certificate,” Ms Senimaoli said.
Ms Senimoli said that during this Lau tour they will not be charging penalties for late registration of birth certificates.
Earlier this week, Government announced an amnesty for people who have not registered their births with the waiver of the standard fee for late registration.
A late registration is any registration made more than twelve months after birth.
The waiver of the $11.50 fee comes into force today and will last until March 14th.
The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, urged Fijians to take advantage of this amnesty to register themselves and their children if they have not already done so.
“It is important that everyone has an identity and a birth certificate is the ultimate proof of identity. Without one, you cannot access many basic services, such as social welfare, education, health care and registering to vote,” he said.
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