Zimbabwe

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 Birth and Death Registration Act, Chapter 5:02
Official authorities in charge of registering births Ministry of Home Affairs, Department of Registrar General
Organizational structure Centralized
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, but not immediately
Legal informant to register a birth The parents, Occupier of the house, Health staff, Any witness [of the birth] aged 18 years or older
Time allowed for registration 42 days
Fee for birth registration No
Can the fee be increased or waived? Yes, fees may be waived
Fee for birth certificate No
Penalty for late registration No
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 Marriage certificate or proof of marriage, Birth notification, Name of the child
Information collected Regarding the child:  Name, Date of birth, Sex, Weight at birth, Ethnicity, Date of registration, Place of occurrence [of the birth], Place of registration

Regarding the mother of the child:  Marital status, Date of marriage Ethnicity, Place of usual residence, Birth (or parity) order

Regarding the father of the child: Marital status, Date of marriage, Ethnicity, Place of usual residence

Processing Manually (on paper), Electronically (via computer or tablet)
Place of registration Civil registrar’s office, Hospital/health centre (any in the country)
A birth certificate is required for: Identification, Travel, Education, Voting, Inheritance, Obtaining social assistance
Process for establishing vital statistics on births The Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) is responsible for vital statistics; it is currently processing data on birth registration from 2009–2014.

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 Marriage Act, Chapter 5:11

Customary Marriages Act, Chapter 5:07

Official authorities in charge of registering a marriage Ministry of Home Affairs, Department of Registrar General Office
Organizational structure Centralized
Legal age for marriage 18 years for males and females
Is there a legal obligation to register marriages? Yes
Is an official marriage certificate issued as a result of marriage registration?  Yes

Download sample marriage certificate

Legal informant to register a marriage Spouses
Time allowed for registration Immediately
Fee for marriage registration Yes
Can the fee be increased or waived?
Fee for marriage certificate
Penalty for late registration
Other official fees involved in the marriage registration process
Additional registration requirements or fees if one spouse was born outside the country or has dual citizenship
Requirements for marriage registration Husband’s and wife’s presence, Proof of age of groom and bride
Information collected Regarding the spouses: Date of birth or age of the bride, Place of usual residence of bride, Date of birth or age of the groom, Place of usual residence of groom

Regarding the marriage: Date of occurrence, Date of registration, Place of occurrence, Place of registration

Processing Manually (on paper), Electronically (via computer or tablet)
Place of registration Civil registrar’s office
A marriage certificate is required for:
Process for establishing vital statistics on marriage The Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) is responsible for vital statistics.

Download sample marriage certificate

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 Birth and Death Registration Act, Chapter 5:02
Official authorities in charge of registering a death Ministry of Home Affairs, Department of Registrar General
Organizational structure Centralized
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 Relative of the deceased aged 18 years or older, Any occupier/inmate aged 18 years or older of the house in which the death occurred, Village head, Chief, Councillor, etc.
Time allowed for registration 30 days
Fee for death registration No
Can the fee be increased or waived? No
Fee for death certificate No
Penalty for late registration No
Other official fees involved in the death registration process No
Registration requirements or fees specific for the deaths of people who were residents in the country and also of foreign nationality No
Requirements for death registration Medical certificate, Traditional leader notification letter in cases of natural causes death in rural areas
Information collected Regarding the deceased: Name, Sex, Date of birth or age, Marital status, Place of usual residence, Occupation

Regarding the death: Date of death, Place of occurrence of the death, Date of registration, Place of registration, Cause of death, Certifier

Information collected in case of fetal death Date of occurrence of fetal delivery, Date of registration, Place of occurrence, Place of registration, Sex of the fetus
Processing Manually (on paper), Electronically (via computer or tablet)
Place of registration Civil registrar’s office, Hospital/health centre (any in the country)
A death certificate is required for: Processing of inheritance, Change of ownership of movable and immovable property, Claiming insurance, Resolution of deceased’s estate, etc.
Process for establishing vital statistics on deaths The Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) is responsible for vital statistics.

 

 

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.