Registration of Birth Outside Sri Lanka

1. Overview

1. Registration of birth outside Sri Lanka is carried out by the Sri Lanka High Commission and Consulate General offices under Section 5(2) of the Citizenship Act and Section 16 or 24 of the Birth Registration Act.
2. Applications should be forwarded to the respective office closest to the applicant’s place of residence
3. Where to Apply

3. Steps to Be Taken and Checklist

Application sets and guideline links

• Application for a child less than 03 months of age

• Sec.16 specimen up to 3 months (B4 Form)

• Application for a child between 3-12 months [Form B6]

• Sec.24 specimen after 3 months (B6 Form)

• Application for a child after 1 year [Form B6]

• Annexure 1 - Birth Registration Application Guidelines

• Guidelines for citizenship registration

4. Documents to Be Submitted

Requirement:

• Submit originals with 02 sets of photocopies, unless otherwise stated.

• Child’s local birth certificate - original with two photocopies - compulsory.

• Father’s birth certificate - original with two photocopies - compulsory.
• Mother’s birth certificate - original with two photocopies - compulsory.
• Parents’ marriage certificate - original with two photocopies - compulsory.     
• Parents’ passports - originals with two photocopies of the bio-data page, alteration page and observation pages (pages 4 and 5) - compulsory.
• Parents’ current passports, if different from above - originals with two photocopies of the bio-data page, alteration page and observation pages (pages 4 and 5).
• Certificate of Evidence of Residence Status. In Australia, provide Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO).
• Applicants from other countries should submit 02 photocopies of the current visa page of the passport. If parents had electronic visas at the time of the child’s birth, submit 02 copies of the visa.        
• Statutory Declaration completed by the child’s parents who were Sri Lankan at the time of the child’s birth, in duplicate, and certified by a Justice of the Peace, Solicitor or GP - compulsory.
• Original dual citizenship certificates for both parents, if the applicant was a dual citizen at the time of the child’s birth - compulsory.        
• If parents were not married at the time of the child’s birth, an affidavit relating to paternity and declaration of citizenship certified by a Solicitor is required - compulsory.
• Covering letter with contact details, including telephone numbers, email addresses and fax number if available - compulsory.

5. Applicable Fees

Fee notes

• A late registration fee of AUD 12 per each year will be charged beyond the 1st year of the birth.
• If an applicant needs original documents returned earlier, additional postage or courier charges must be provided.
• The citizenship registration application will be sent to the Controller General / Department of Immigration & Emigration, Colombo. Upon receipt of the prescribed certificate, it will be sent to the applicant.
• Parents should keep the Mission informed if address or contact details change during the process.
• Incomplete applications and missing documents may result in delays.

6. Payment Method

• If the applicant physically visits the High Commission or Consulate offices, payment can be made by cash,/ credit, ATM and debit card.
• Personal or company cheques will not be accepted.       
• For payment by money order or direct bank transfer, contact the High Commission or Consulate for prior instructions.       
• If money orders are sent or money is directly credited to the High Commission or Consulate bank accounts without prior instructions, responsibility for any loss, shortage or delay lies with the applicant.

7. Special Notes

• Fees will not be refunded under any circumstance after issuance of an official receipt.       
• Translations will not be accepted as originals.
• All photocopies should be on A4 size paper. Use both sides.    
• The High Commission will attest the documents and return the originals to the applicant.
• If the applicant needs to send or receive documents urgently by express courier service, speed post or similar method, the applicant must organise this independently.        
  
• The High Commission cannot take responsibility
  for documents lost or delayed in the post or courier.

8. Special Note About Certificates and Citizenship at Age 21

Children born outside Sri Lanka whose birth is registered with a Sri Lanka Mission abroad are issued with certificates under the Consular Functions Act by the Registrar General’s Office and under the Ceylon Citizenship Act by the Department of Immigration and Emigration.

Certificates issued by the Department of Immigration and Emigration will become void when the child reaches 21 years of age. At that time, the child must decide whether to retain Sri Lankan citizenship, the citizenship of the country of birth, or both, by applying to the Department of Immigration and Emigration before completing 21 years of age.

If the child does not comply with this requirement, he or she will automatically lose Sri Lankan citizenship as stated at the bottom of the certificate issued by the Department of Immigration and Emigration. Parents are advised to keep their children informed of this requirement.

9. Address

Sri Lanka High Commission

61, Hampton Circuit

Yarralumla

ACT 2600

Australia