Ghana: Description of the Certified Copy of Entry into Registry of Births, including its colour, size and seals; whether the format of this document has changed, and if so, date of this change and description of the old format

In its "Reciprocity Schedule" for Ghana, the United States Department of State described the "Certified Copy of Entry in the Register of Births," also known as the "Certified True Copy of Entry in the Register of Birth," as follows:

This document, which is either white or pink, is approximately 6½ inches by 18 inches and bears the raised seal of the Registrar of Births and Deaths for Ghana. Persons registered before March 1957 received a "Copy of Registration of Birth" at the time of registration. This document is approximately 5 inches square and was issued by the Government of the Gold Coast Colony. It bears no raised seal (18 June 2002).

A representative of the Canadian High Commission in Ghana provided the following information in 13 September 2002 correspondence:

The new version of a Certified Copy of Entry in Register of Births, in use in Ghana, was introduced on 02 July 1996. Particulars are written in boxes and include: Entry No., Name of District Registry, Child's name, Sex, Father's name, his occupation, nationality and religion, followed by Mother's maiden name and nationality, Child's birth-date and place where born, Informant and relationship to child, date of registration, signature of registrar, and the Registrar's coding appears in the last box marked, "Margin." The "Certified Copy" has a pinkish background with horizontal micro-printing of the words "Birth and Death Registry" in zig-zag columns across the document. With this background, it is easy to detect any erasers or alterations, which renders the document invalid. The new "Certified Copy" measures approximately, 19 x 32 cm, and bears a seal/hologram on the upper left side, in the box with the word: "FATHER." There are two types of seals. They have rounded corners, and look like a perfect square. These seals are made of a special foil, which on application melts and becomes part of the form. They both change colour when tilted through small angles at a source of light. However, one of them has improved security features as it also displays variable optical letters when the seal is tilted. As a security measure, the sealing-machine is located in the Registrar's office, in Accra. All "Certified Copies" are printed by one printer, in Accra, and therefore, the format is the same nation-wide. The district offices receive their supplies from the National Head Office in batches according to their needs.

The old version of a Certified Copy of Entry in Register of Births (referred to as "Long Form"), also contains the same information as the new version, but the format is different. The old version has no micro-printing background, measures approximately 15 x 44 cm, and has no special control/security features. It has been in existence for over twenty years. Since January 1988, pre-printed letters: "L.S." appeared below the Registrar's signature. Before that date, it was placed on the left side of the Registrar's signature.

A "Certified Copy" may be issued for duplication of an earlier registration of birth, or to document late registration, mostly for adults (on the basis of unverifiable affidavits). Where a register is still in use the local Registrar completes the form, signs it, and forwards it to the National Registrar who certifies the local Registrar's signature as true. In this case, a "Certified Copy" bears two signatures - the local Registrar's signature and that of the National Registrar. The details may be hand-written or typewritten. When a local register is full it is forwarded to the Births and Deaths Archives, in Accra. The National Head Office may also issue a "Certified Copy" based on information in an archived register. A "Certified Copy" so issued, bears one signature - the National Registrar's signature, only. The information on this form is always typewritten.

The Immigration Program Manager at the Canadian High Commission in Accra also provided the following information regarding birth certificates in Ghana in 13 September 2002 correspondence:

... anyone can swear out an affidavit and receive a birth certificate in Ghana. My predecessor began a file of confirmed genuinely issued documents where DNA testing had come back with 0% parentage. There is no verification done of "late registrations" and it is accepted on face value at the registrars office. Birth certificates as a result are given very little weight as evidence especially in view of the growing number of negative DNA results.

In addition, the "Reciprocity Schedule" of the Department of State indicates that:

The majority of registrations are not made at the time of birth, and often no registration is made until an individual requires a birth certificate for immigration purposes. Registrations not made within one year of an individual's birth are not reliable evidence of relationship, since registration, including late registration, may often be accomplished upon demand, with little or no supporting documentation required (United States 18 June 2002).

For additional information on the Certified Copy of Entry in the Register of Births, please see GHA29736.E of 24 July 1998.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Canadian High Commission in Ghana, Accra. 13 September 2002. Correspondence received from a representative.

_____. 13 September 2002. Correspondence received from the Immigration Program Manager.

United States Department of State. 18 June 2002. "Ghana: Reciprocity Schedule." [Accessed 18 Sept. 2002]

Additional Sources Consulted

The Registrar of Births and Deaths in Accra did not reply, within the time constraints of this Response, to a letter requesting information.

The High Commission of Ghana in Ottawa did not reply, within the time constraints of this Response, to a letter requesting information.

The Embassy of Ghana in Washington did not provide the requested information.

Internet sites including:

Republic of Ghana Online

United States Department of State

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