A recent UNICEF blog highlights recent improvements to the birth registration and certification process in Timor-Leste. Expecting mothers visiting hospital facilities will now receive a comprehensive “mother-child booklet", including essentials from infant care to birth registration. After a child is delivered, independent of the location, the attending midwife fills out the birth registration form in duplicate, one copy for the family, and one copy to be submitted to the local health centre. The birth certificate will be already printed and handed to the mother by the time the child arrives at the health care center for their vaccinations six weeks after birth.   

An alternative process, involving notification through the village leader, followed by the issuance of the birth certificate, is in place in cases where the delivery occurs without midwife assistance. 

Please read the full blog here.