Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 2020 (Act 1027)
This section establishes the Births and Deaths Registry and sets out the roles of its National Office and other offices.
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About this statute
This section establishes the Births and Deaths Registry and sets out the roles of its National Office and other offices. The President appoints the Registrar of Births and Deaths, and must consider qualifications, experience, and knowledge in civil registration. The Registrar must administer the Registry day to day, keep and maintain the national registers in section 11, and may delegate functions to Registry officers. The Registry must have a Deputy Registrar of Births and Deaths, appointed by the President. The Deputy Registrar must assist the Registrar in carrying out the Registrar’s functions.
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Provisions of Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 2020 (Act 1027)
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- 1 Verify source ↗
Establishment of Births and Deaths Registry
AI-assisted research summary: This section establishes the Births and Deaths Registry and sets out the roles of its National Office and other offices.
Section 1—Establishment of Births and Deaths Registry (1) There is established by this Act a Births and Deaths Registry referred to in this Act as the "Registry". (2) The Registry comprises (a) the National Office located in the national capital, Accra; (b) regional offices located in all the regional capitals; (c) district offices located in all the district capitals; and (d) sub-district offices located in each district. (3) The National Office of the Registry (a) shall exercise oversight responsibility for the registration of births, foetal deaths and deaths in the country; and 5 (b) is responsible for the collection and collation of the information contained in the registers of births, foetal deaths and deaths in the country. (4) An office of the Registry is responsible for the performance of the functions assigned to that office by the Registrar under this Act. - 2 Verify source ↗
Appointment of the Registrar of Births and Deaths
AI-assisted research summary: The President appoints the Registrar of Births and Deaths, and must consider qualifications, experience, and knowledge in civil registration.
Section 2—Appointment of the Registrar of Births and Deaths (1) The Registry shall have a Registrar of Births and Deaths. (2) The President shall, in accordance with article 195 of the Constitution, appoint the Registrar. (3) The President shall, in appointing a person as the Registrar, have regard to the relevant academic qualification, experience and knowledge of that person in civil registration. (4) The Registrar shall hold office on the terms and conditions specified in the letter of appointment. - 3 Verify source ↗
Functions of the Registrar
AI-assisted research summary: The Registrar must administer the Registry day to day, keep and maintain the national registers in section 11, and may delegate functions to Registry officers.
Section 3—Functions of the Registrar (1) The Registrar (a) is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the affairs of the Registry; and (b) shall keep and maintain the national registers specified in section 11. (2) The Registrar may delegate a function to an officer of the Registry but shall not be relieved of the ultimate responsibility for the performance of the delegated function. - 4 Verify source ↗
Appointment of Deputy Registrar
AI-assisted research summary: The Registry must have a Deputy Registrar of Births and Deaths, appointed by the President.
Section 4—Appointment of Deputy Registrar (1) The Registry shall have a Deputy Registrar of Births and Deaths. (2) The President shall, in accordance with article 195 of the Constitution, appoint the Deputy Registrar. (3) The President shall, in appointing a person as the Deputy Registrar, have regard to the relevant academic qualification, experience and knowledge of that person in civil registration. (4) The Deputy Registrar shall hold office on the terms and conditions specified in the letter of appointment. - 5 Verify source ↗
Functions of the Deputy Registrar
AI-assisted research summary: The Deputy Registrar must assist the Registrar in carrying out the Registrar’s functions.
Section 5—Functions of the Deputy Registrar The Deputy Registrar shall assist the Registrar in the performance of the functions of the Registrar. - 6 Verify source ↗
Appointment of other staff
AI-assisted research summary: The President must appoint other public officers needed for the Registry, and other public officers may be transferred or seconded to it.
Section 6—Appointment of other staff (1) The President shall, in accordance with article 195 of the Constitution, appoint other public officers that are necessary for the effective and efficient performance of the functions of the Registry, (2) Other public officers may be transferred or seconded to the Registry. - 7 Verify source ↗
Regional Registrar
AI-assisted research summary: Each regional office of the Registry must have a Regional Registrar of Births and Deaths, and that Registrar must collect, collate, transmit, and keep copies of register information.
Section 7—Regional Registrar 6 (1) Each regional office of the Registry shall have a Regional Registrar of Births and Deaths. (2) A Regional Registrar shall (a) be responsible for collecting and collating information contained in the registers from the district offices; (b) transmit the collated information contained in the registers to the National Registry and maintain copies of each transmitted record; and (c) perform any other function assigned by the Registrar under this Act. - 8 Verify source ↗
District Registrar
AI-assisted research summary: The District Registrar must keep and maintain district birth, foetal death, and death registers, submit collated information and quarterly reports, and carry out other functions assigned by the Registrar.
Section 8—District Registrar (1) A district office of the Registry (a) is a department of the District Assembly; and (b) shall have a District Registrar of Births and Deaths. (2) A District Registrar shall keep and maintain the register of births, the register of foetal deaths and the register of deaths of that district. (3) A District Registrar shall submit the collated information contained in the register of births, foetal deaths and deaths to the Regional Registrar for onward submission to the Registrar. (4) The District Registrar shall be responsible for the collection and collation of the information contained in the registers from the sub-districts. (5) The District Registrar shall submit quarterly reports on births, foetal deaths and deaths to the District Assembly. (6) The District Registrar shall perform any other function assigned by the Registrar. - 9 Verify source ↗
Registration Officer
AI-assisted research summary: A District Assembly must appoint Registration Officers for the district Registry office, after consulting the Registrar. A Registration Officer must collect and collate information on births, foetal deaths, and deaths within a sub-district.
Section 9—Registration Officer (1) A District Assembly shall, in consultation with the Registrar, appoint for the district office of the Registry, Registration Officers. (2) A Registration Officer shall collect and collate information on births, foetal deaths and deaths in a sub-district within a district. - 10 Verify source ↗
Registration Assistant
AI-assisted research summary: The Registrar must designate a Registration Assistant in each zone in a district, and the assistant must inspect households and help complete notification forms for births, foetal deaths, and deaths.
Section 10—Registration Assistant (1) The Registrar shall designate a Registration Assistant in each zone in a district. (2) A Registration Assistant shall (a) inspect every household within the zone of each district to ascertain births, foetal deaths and deaths; and (b) assist in the completion of forms on notification of births, foetal deaths and deaths. - 11 Verify source ↗
Register of births and deaths
AI-assisted research summary: The Registrar must keep three national birth and death registers, and the District Registrar must keep three corresponding district registers.
Section 11—Register of births and deaths (1) The Registrar shall keep and maintain three national registers namely: (a) National Register of Births, which shall contain a record of each birth; 7 (b) National Register of Foetal Deaths, which shall contain a record of each foetal death; and (c) National Register of Deaths, which shall contain a record of each death. (2) The District Registrar shall keep and maintain three district registers namely: (a) District Register of Births, which shall contain a record of each birth in the district; (b) District Register of Foetal Deaths, which shall contain a record of each foetal death in the district; and (c) District Register of Deaths, which shall contain a record of each death in the district. (3) The national registers specified in subsection (1) shall be kept and maintained at the national office of the Registry. (4) The district registers specified in subsection (2) shall be kept and maintained at the respective district offices of the Registry. - 12 Verify source ↗
Community population register
AI-assisted research summary: A District Assembly must keep a community population register, and the community may help register births, foetal deaths, and deaths. The community must also keep copies of those community registers.
Section 12—Community population register (1) A District Assembly shall keep and maintain a community population register and the community population register shall be used as a demographic data for the purpose of development planning of the district. (2) A community may assist the Registration Assistant in the Registration of births, foetal deaths and deaths for the purposes of generating a community population register. (3) The community shall keep and maintain copies of the community registers of births, foetal deaths and deaths. - 13 Verify source ↗
Power to accept affidavit or statutory declaration
AI-assisted research summary: The Registrar or District Registrar may accept an affidavit or statutory declaration for registering a birth, foetal death, or death if the prescribed fee is paid. Fees received under this rule must be lodged by the Registrar in a bank account opened for that purpose.
Section 13—Power to accept affidavit or statutory declaration (1) For the purposes of the registration of a birth, foetal death or death, the Registrar or the District Registrar may accept the affidavit or the statutory declaration of a person on payment of the prescribed fee. (2) The fees paid under subsection (1) shall be lodged by the Registrar in a bank account opened for that purpose. - 14 Verify source ↗
Retention of a percentage of internally generated funds
AI-assisted research summary: The Registry must retain 50% of its internally generated funds, even if another enactment says otherwise.
Section 14—Retention of a percentage of internally generated funds Despite a provision in any other enactment to the contrary, the Registry shall retain fifty percent of the internally generated funds. - 15 Verify source ↗
Disclosure of information Registration of Births and Related Matters
AI-assisted research summary: A person must not disclose information obtained under the Act or let others inspect or access related records, except as allowed by law.
Section 15—Disclosure of information A person shall not (a) communicate or cause to be communicated to another person; or (b) allow any other person to inspect or have access to any record containing information obtained under this Act, except in accordance with law. Registration of Births and Related Matters - 16 Verify source ↗
Notification of birth
AI-assisted research summary: Several people must notify the District Registrar about births and one school enrolment event within seven days, and after five years a birth certificate becomes required for enrolment at basic school or pre-school.
Section 16—Notification of birth 8 (1) A person in charge of a health facility shall notify the District Registrar or a representative of the District Registrar in the district within which the health facility is located, of each birth recorded in the facility within seven days of occurrence of the birth in the facility. (2) A traditional birth attendant shall notify the District Registrar or a representative of the District Registrar in the district within which the birth occurs within seven days of occurrence of the birth. (3) A manager of a basic school or pre-school shall notify the District Registrar or a representative of the District Registrar in the district in which the school is located of the enrolment of a child without a birth certificate within seven days of the enrolment of the child. (4) The production of a birth certificate shall, after five years of the coming into force of this Act, be a pre-condition for the enrolment of a child at a basic school or pre-school. - 17 Verify source ↗
Registration of birth
AI-assisted research summary: Parents or responsible persons must register a child’s birth in the child’s district, and late registration has special rules and fees.
Section 17—Registration of birth (1) A parent or a person responsible for a child shall register the birth of that child in the district in which the child is born. (2) The Registry shall, as far as practicable, ensure that births are registered electronically. (3) A person responsible for a child is not required to pay a fee for the registration of the birth of that child if the registration is made within twelve months from the date of birth of that child. (4) Where a living new born child is found deserted and information as to the place of birth of that child is not available, the District Registrar for the district in which the child is found shall register the birth. (5) Except in the case specified in subsection (4) or subsection (5) of section 22, the prescribed particulars for registration shall be provided to the District Registrar (a) by the father, the mother or both parents of the child; or (b) in the case of the death or incapacity of the father and mother by (i) the next of kin of either of the parents who has knowledge of the birth; (ii) an occupier of the premises in which the child is born, if the occupier has knowledge of the birth; (iii) an adult present at the birth; or (iv) a person who has charge of the child. (6) Where a birth is not registered within the twelve months period, the District Registrar shall, by notice in writing, summon any of the persons referred to in subsection (5) to attend personally at the Births and Deaths Registry to provide the prescribed particulars for the registration of the birth within the date and time specified in the notice and the person summoned shall pay the prescribed fee. (7) Despite subsection (3), a person responsible for a child may register the birth of the child after twelve months of the date of birth but not more than five years of the date of birth upon application to the District Registrar for late registration. 9 (8) A person who applies to the Registrar in respect of a late registration shall include in the application, reasons for the late registration. (9) A birth shall not be registered after the expiration of twelve months from the date of birth, unless (a) a District Registrar receives a written authority of the Registrar directed at the particular District Registrar; and (b) a person responsible for the child has paid the prescribed fee for late registration. (10) A District Registrar shall, upon receipt of a note of the written authority of the Registrar, enter the note in the register. (11) A District Registrar shall not register a birth under subsection (7) or (9) unless the District Registrar is satisfied that an earlier registration of the birth has not been made in another district. - 18 Verify source ↗
Doubtful paternity
AI-assisted research summary: When paternity is in doubt, the putative father must not give birth information, and the District Registrar must not record a man as father unless the mother and the man both request it.
Section 18—Doubtful paternity (1) Where the paternity of a child is in doubt, the putative father of the child shall not give information concerning the birth of the child. (2) The District Registrar shall not enter the name of a person as father of the child, unless at the joint request of the mother and the person claiming to be the father of the child. (3) The person claiming to be the father of the child shall sign the register together with the mother or make a declaration in the prescribed form as the father of the child. (4) Where the mother of the child is dead, the entry in the register may be made at the request of the person claiming to be the father of the child and upon the written consent of the family of the deceased mother which shall be on oath. - 19 Verify source ↗
Registration of name subsequent to registration of birth
AI-assisted research summary: A parent or guardian may submit name evidence to the District Registrar within 12 months after a child’s birth registration. The Registry must provide a standard form and an indicative list of prohibited prefixes and suffixes, and the District Registrar must record the name on payment of the prescribed fee.
Section 19—Registration of name subsequent to registration of birth (1) The parent or guardian of a child may, within twelve months after the registration of the birth of the child, deliver to the District Registrar a baptismal certificate issued and signed by an officiating minister of religion or any other document evidencing the name of the child where (a) a birth is registered and the baptismal certificate or other document is intended to change the name of the child; or (b) a birth is registered in accordance with subsection (4) of section 17 without a name and a name is subsequently given to the child. (2) The District Registrar shall, on receipt of the baptismal certificate or any other document evidencing the name of the child and on payment of the prescribed fee, enter in the register the name mentioned in the baptismal certificate or in any other document evidencing the name of the child as given to the child without an erasure of the original entry. (3) The Registry shall develop a standard form for the registration of names. (4) A form developed under subsection (3) shall not provide for prefixes and suffixes. 10 (5) The Registry shall (a) by notice published in the Gazette, or on the website of the Registry and in at least two daily newspapers of national circulation, provide an indicative list of prefixes and suffixes which are prohibited; and (b) update the indicative list periodically. (6) Despite subsection (5), the Registrar may refuse to register a prefix or suffix which is not provided for in the indicative list. - 20 Verify source ↗
Signing of birth certificate
AI-assisted research summary: The Registrar or a designated officer must sign a birth certificate issued under this Act.
Section 20—Signing of birth certificate The Registrar or a designated officer by the Registrar is responsible for signing a birth certificate issued under this Act. - 21 Verify source ↗
Issue of birth certificate Registration of Assisted Reproductive Births and Related Matters
AI-assisted research summary: The District Registrar must issue a free birth certificate when the name has been registered.
Section 21—Issue of birth certificate The District Registrar shall, on registration of the name, issue a birth certificate free of charge to the father, mother, a person authorised by a court of competent jurisdiction or a person authorised in writing by the father or mother or next of kin of the child. Registration of Assisted Reproductive Births and Related Matters - 22 Verify source ↗
Registration of assisted reproductive births Registration of Deaths and Related Matters
AI-assisted research summary: This section sets out who may apply for parental orders in assisted reproductive birth cases and how births and birth records must be registered.
Section 22—Registration of assisted reproductive births (1) An intended parent may engage the services of a person to give the intended parent a child through surrogacy. (2) The intended parent may, within twelve weeks after introducing an embryo or gamete into the surrogate mother, apply to the High Court for a pre-birth parental order to allow (a) either the intended parent or surrogate mother, or (b) both parents of a child, to be named as the parent of a child born through surrogacy or any other assisted reproductive birth if the birth occurs within twenty-eight weeks of the order of the High Court. (3) Where the High Court is convinced of the evidence of parentage and the existence of a surrogacy, the High Court shall issue a pre-birth parental order naming the legal parent of the unborn child and a copy of the order shall be issued to (a) the District Registrar of the district in which the child will be born; (b) the intended parent; (c) the surrogate mother; and (d) the hospital where the child is born, if the birth occurs at a hospital facility. (4) A woman who gives birth to a child shall, in the absence of an order of the High Court naming another person as the mother, be registered as the mother of the child. (5) Subject to subsection (2), a woman who gives birth to a child shall (a) have the right to register the child; and 11 (b) inform the Registration Officer in the district, in which the child is born, of (i) the name of the child; (ii) the name of the father of the child; and (iii) any other information required for the purposes of the registration. (6) The Registration Officer shall, on receipt of the information required under paragraph (b) of subsection (5), proceed to register the birth of the child in accordance with the information provided. (7) The District Registrar and where appropriate, the hospital where the child is born, shall (a) register or cause to be registered in the district office of the Registry, the birth arising from the surrogacy or other assisted reproductive birth in accordance with the pre-birth parental order; and (b) enter or cause to be entered in the register of births, the name of the child provided by either the intended parent or surrogate mother, or both in accordance with subsection (2). (8) Where a child is already born, an intended parent or surrogate mother may apply to the High Court for a post-birth parental order or substitute parentage order. (9) Where the High Court approves an application made under subsection (8), the High Court shall issue a post-birth parental order or substitute parentage order naming the intended parent or surrogate mother as the legal parent of the child, and a copy of the order shall be immediately served on the District Registrar. (10) A post-birth parental order or substitute parentage order issued under subsection (9) shall, in substance, be in the form of an adoption proceeding and shall be lodged at the High Court at least twenty-eight days after the birth of the child but not later than six months after the birth of the child. (11) The District Registrar shall, on receipt of a sealed substitute parentage order from the High Court, strike out or cause to be struck out the original birth record, and open or cause to be opened a new birth record with the intended parent or surrogate mother named as the parent of the child, in accordance with the order of the High Court. (12) The District Registrar shall keep the original birth record struck out under subsection (11) in a confidential place, and that birth record shall be made accessible to the child whose birth entry was made only when that child attains the age of twenty-one years. (13) A new birth record opened under this section shall supersede any other birth record made earlier. - 23 Verify source ↗
Notification of death 2
AI-assisted research summary: Health practitioners in charge must record certain deaths and notify or transmit the information to the District Registrar within seven days.
Section 23—Registration of Deaths and Related Matters Notification of death (1) A medical practitioner or health practitioner in charge of a health facility at which a death occurs shall record the death and within seven days of the occurrence of the death notify the District Registrar of the death. (2) Where death occurs outside a heath facility and the deceased is brought to that health facility, the medical practitioner or health practitioner in charge of that facility shall 12 (a) record the death and where possible, the immediate and underlying cause of the death; and (b) within seven days after the deceased is brought transmit the information to the District Registrar. - 24 Verify source ↗
Registration of foetal death
AI-assisted research summary: A District Registrar must register every foetal death in the district’s sub-districts.
Section 24—Registration of foetal death A District Registrar shall register every foetal death that occurs in the sub-districts within the district. - 25 Verify source ↗
Person responsible for the registration of foetal death
AI-assisted research summary: When a foetal death occurs, the person responsible for the birth registration must give the District Registrar a statement about the foetal death.
Section 25—Person responsible for the registration of foetal death Where a foetal death occurs, the person who is responsible for the registration of the birth under subsection (5) of section 17 shall provide the District Registrar with a statement in respect of the foetal death as follows: (a) a written certificate in respect of the foetal death signed by a registered medical practitioner or midwife who was in attendance at the occurrence of the foetal death or who has examined the foetus; or (b) a declaration to the effect that (i) a registered medical practitioner or midwife was not present at the occurrence of the foetal death; (ii) a registered medical practitioner or midwife has not examined the foetus; or (iii) the certificate of a registered medical practitioner or midwife cannot be obtained in respect of the foetal death. - 26 Verify source ↗
Burial permit for foetal death
AI-assisted research summary: If the District Registrar is satisfied with the section 25 certificate or declaration, the registrar must register the foetal death and issue a burial permit to the person who needs it.
Section 26—Burial permit for foetal death Where the District Registrar is satisfied with the certificate or the declaration referred to in section 25, the District Registrar shall register the foetal death and issue a burial permit to the person requiring the burial permit for the purpose of burial or other form of disposition of the body. - 27 Verify source ↗
Registration of death
AI-assisted research summary: The District Registrar must register deaths within 10 days, with extra rules for late registrations and deaths found without a known place of death.
Section 27—Registration of death (1) The District Registrar in the district in which a death occurs, shall register the death within ten days after the death. (2) Despite subsection (1), the District Registrar shall only register a death that is reported more than ten days after the death occurred if the prescribed fee for late registration has been paid. (3) The District Registrar shall not register a death after the expiration of twelve months from the date of death except with the written authority of the Registrar and upon payment of the prescribed fee. (4) The District Registrar shall, upon receipt of a note of a written authority of the Registrar, enter the note in the register. 13 (5) Where a dead body is found and information as to the place of death is not available, the District Registrar of the district in which the body is found shall register the death within thirty days. (6) The Registry shall, as far as practicable, ensure that deaths are registered electronically. ' - 28 Verify source ↗
Persons to furnish information of death
AI-assisted research summary: Certain people must give the District Registrar the prescribed details of a death.
Section 28—Persons to furnish information of death The following persons shall furnish the District Registrar with the prescribed particulars of death: (a) the nearest relative of the deceased present at the time of death or in attendance at the last illness of the deceased; (b) a relative of the deceased residing or being within the registration district; (c) an occupier of the premises in which the death occurred if the occupier has knowledge of the death; (d) an adult present at the time of death or who has knowledge of the death; or (e) a coroner who has been notified of the death and has made an inquiry or held an inquiry in respect of the death. - 29 Verify source ↗
Certificate of medical practitioner
AI-assisted research summary: Medical practitioners must issue a death certificate stating the cause of death, and the certificate must be submitted to the District Registrar for death registration.
Section 29—Certificate of medical practitioner (1) The medical practitioner who was in attendance during the illness of the deceased shall issue to the person who provides the particulars of the death, a medical certificate that states the cause of death. (2) Where a health practitioner was in attendance during the illness of the deceased, the health practitioner shall notify the supervising medical practitioner of the death and the supervising medical practitioner shall issue to the person who provides the particulars of the death, a medical certificate that states the cause of death. (3) The recipient of the medical certificate shall submit the certificate to the District Registrar who shall then register the particulars of the deceased in the register of deaths. - 30 Verify source ↗
Duty of coroner after holding inquiry
AI-assisted research summary: After a coroner’s inquiry, the coroner must sign a death-cause certificate, the certificate must be sent to the District Registrar, and the Registrar must register the death unless the coroner orders otherwise in writing.
Section 30—Duty of coroner after holding inquiry (1) Where an inquiry in respect of a dead body is held by a coroner, the coroner shall complete and sign a certificate that states the cause of the death. (2) The recipient of the certificate shall submit the certificate to the District Registrar who shall register the particulars of the deceased in the register of deaths. (3) Where a coroner is informed that a dead body has been found, or that a person has died in the district, and the coroner has reasonable cause to suspect that that person has suffered (a) a violent death or any other unnatural death, (b) a death of which the cause is unknown, (c) death while detained in a prison, psychiatric hospital or public institution other than a hospital, or 14 (d) death in a place or under a circumstance which in the opinion of the coroner makes the holding of an inquiry necessary or desirable, the coroner shall, subject to the Coroners Act, 1960 (Act 18), hold an inquiry as soon as practicable in respect of the death. (4) The District Registrar shall not register a death or issue a death certificate for the death for which an inquiry of the coroner is required, unless the coroner, in writing, orders the registration of the death or the issue of the death certificate. - 31 Verify source ↗
Death certificate
AI-assisted research summary: The District Registrar must register a death and issue the required death certificate and burial permit, subject to the stated conditions.
Section 31—Death certificate (1) The District Registrar shall, subject to sections 23 and 25, register a death and issue (a) a death certificate in the prescribed form after payment of the prescribed fee; and (b) a burial permit in the prescribed form, free of charge. (2) Where (a) a dead body is brought from another country into the country for disposition, and (b) an order in respect of the dead body has not been given by a coroner, the District Registrar of the district in which the body is intended to be disposed of shall, upon application by the person who procures the dead body for disposition and the payment of the prescribed fee, issue a burial permit if it appears to the District Registrar that the death is not required, by law, to be registered in this country. - 32 Verify source ↗
Burial or other disposition
AI-assisted research summary: People may not dispose of a body in this country unless the act is done under this Act, and a burial or other disposition may only be conducted by a person registered under this Act.
Section 32—Burial or other disposition (1) A person shall not dispose of the body of a dead person who dies in this country unless the disposition is done in accordance with this Act. (2) A person shall not conduct a burial or any other form of disposition unless that person is registered under this Act. (3) The Registrar shall provide the necessary forms and guidelines for the purposes of registration under subsection (2). (4) A person who conducts a burial shall inspect the death certificate and burial permit before proceeding with the burial. (5) A person who conducts a form of disposition other than burial shall inspect the death certificate before proceeding with the disposition. - 33 Verify source ↗
Registration of morgues, funeral homes, burial grounds and other disposition facilities
AI-assisted research summary: Morgues, funeral homes, burial grounds, and similar disposition facilities must be registered before they can be operated or receive bodies.
Section 33—Registration of morgues, funeral homes, burial grounds and other disposition facilities (1) A person shall not operate a morgue, funeral home, burial ground or any other disposition facility unless the morgue, funeral home, burial ground or disposition facility is registered in accordance with this Act. (2) The District Assembly shall register (a) a morgue, (b) a funeral home, 15 (c) a burial ground, or (d) any other disposition facility, intended to be operated in the district whether private or public. (3) The owner or manager of a morgue, funeral home, burial ground or any other disposition facility shall not receive the body of a dead person into the morgue, funeral home, burial ground or disposition facility respectively, unless the morgue, funeral home, burial ground or disposition facility is registered in accordance with subsection (2). - 34 Verify source ↗
Disposition without permit Registration of Births and Deaths Occurring on the High Seas and Air Space
AI-assisted research summary: The owner or manager of a burial ground or disposition facility must not allow burial or disposition of a dead body unless a burial permit has been delivered, and must endorse, return, and report burial details to the District Registrar.
Section 34—Disposition without permit (1) The owner or manager of a burial ground or any other disposition facility shall not permit the burial or disposition of a dead body in the burial ground or disposition facility unless a burial permit in respect of the dead body has been delivered to the manager or owner of the burial ground or disposition facility. (2) Where a re-burial is necessary due to authorised exhumation, a burial permit is not required. (3) The owner or manager of a burial ground or any other disposition facility shall endorse the burial permit with the prescribed particulars and return the burial permit to the District Registrar of the district in which the burial or disposition takes place. (4) The owner or manager of a burial ground or any other disposition facility shall, at the end of each month, forward to the District Registrar, the details of the burials that took place in the burial ground or disposition facility for that month. Registration of Births and Deaths Occurring on the High Seas and Air Space - 35 Verify source ↗
Births and deaths on the high seas and air space Fraudulent Registration and Certificates
AI-assisted research summary: The Registrar may register a birth, foetal death, or death on a ship or aircraft linked to Ghana if satisfied with the information received.
Section 35—Births and deaths on the high seas and air space The Registrar may, on receipt of information in respect of the birth of a child, foetal death, or death of a person on board a ship or an aircraft whose port of destination or place of registration is Ghana, register the birth, foetal death, or death where the Registrar is satisfied with the veracity and. sufficiency of the particulars received. Fraudulent Registration and Certificates - 36 Verify source ↗
Cancellation of registration and certificate Correction of Errors in the Register of Births and Deaths Register
AI-assisted research summary: A District Registrar may hear petitions about false or fraudulent registrations or improper use of certificates, and can order a hearing, note the register, or require surrender of a certificate. The provision also sets a seven-day delivery duty and allows review by higher registrars.
Section 36—Cancellation of registration and certificate (1) A District Registrar may, on receipt of a petition in writing that (a) a registration under this Act has been falsely or fraudulently obtained, or (b) a certificate obtained under this Act is being used for a fraudulent or improper purpose, order the persons concerned to attend a hearing of the petition. (2) Where the hearing is not possible, a statutory declaration or other relevant evidence may be produced in response to the petition. (3) A District Registrar who establishes that a registration under this Act has been falsely or fraudulently obtained shall (a) order a note to be made in the register to that effect; or 16 (b) order the person concerned to surrender the certificate. (4) A person who receives an order under subsection (3), shall deliver the certificate to the District Registrar within seven days. (5) The District Registrar shall keep a file of the certificates delivered under subsection (4) together with the orders and relevant documents. (6) The District Registrar shall notify the Regional Registrar and the Registrar of the order and the cancellation of the registration and certificate. (7) A person aggrieved by the order and the cancellation may petition the Regional Registrar for a review of the decision of the District Registrar. (8) Where there is a review under subsection (7), the Regional Registrar shall communicate the decision to both the District Registrar and the Registrar. (9) A person aggrieved by the decision of the Regional Registrar, may petition the Registrar who may, after hearing, revoke the decision made by the Regional Registrar under this section. Correction of Errors in the Register of Births and Deaths - 37 Verify source ↗
Alteration in register
AI-assisted research summary: This section limits when birth, foetal death, and death registers may be altered, and sets out how corrections can be requested and made.
Section 37—Alteration in register (1) A person shall not alter a register of births, register of foetal deaths or register of deaths unless authorised under this Act. (2) A clerical error in a register of births, register of foetal deaths or register of deaths may be corrected in the manner specified in subsection (6). (3) A person may, by written application and subject to the payment of the prescribed fee, request the Registrar or District Registrar to effect corrections in the register of births, foetal deaths or deaths. (4) The request made under subsection (3) shall be supported by a statutory declaration setting out the nature of the error and the true facts of the case of the birth, foetal death or death in respect of which the error has been made as stated by any of the persons referred to in sections 17 and 28. (5) Where any of the persons referred to in sections 17 and 28 is not available, two credible persons who have knowledge of the case may state the true facts of the case. (6) An error of fact or substance in a register of births, register of foetal deaths or register of deaths may be corrected by ruling one clear line through the original entry and an entry in the appropriate column which is to be dated and signed by the Registrar or District Registrar who has custody of the register. - 38 Verify source ↗
Error in the certificate of a coroner Request for Search of Records
AI-assisted research summary: Some people may ask the Registrar, in writing, to correct an error in a coroner’s certificate, and the coroner and registrar must take steps to amend the relevant death register.
Section 38—Error in the certificate of a coroner (1) Where an error of fact or substance, other than an error relating to the cause of death, occurs in the information given in the certificate of a coroner, any of the persons referred to in section 28 other than the coroner may apply, in writing, to the Registrar for a correction of the error. (2) The Registrar may, in writing, request the coroner to correct the error by certification. 17 (3) The request made under subsection (2) shall be supported with a statutory declaration or an affidavit of the person concerned stating the nature of the error. (4) The coroner shall forward the certification of the error corrected together with the affidavit or the statutory declaration to the Registrar or District Registrar who has custody of the register of foetal deaths or deaths to effect the correction in the register of foetal deaths or deaths. (5) An error of fact or substance in a register of deaths may be corrected by ruling one clear line through the original entry, and an entry in the appropriate column, of the facts certified by the coroner, which is to be dated and signed by the Registrar or District Registrar having custody of the register. Request for Search of Records - 39 Verify source ↗
Search of records Miscellaneous Matters
AI-assisted research summary: A person may ask the Registrar or District Registrar, in writing and on payment of the prescribed fee, to search certain birth, death, burial, or disposition records.
Section 39—Search of records (1) A person may, by an application in writing, request the Registrar or District Registrar to conduct a search in respect of (a) the registration of a birth, foetal death or death; or (b) a burial or any other form of disposition record in the Registry. (2) The application made under subsection (1) is subject to the payment of the prescribed fee. (3) The Registrar or District Registrar shall make a report on the search and the report shall state whether or not the birth, foetal death, death or burial or any other form of disposition is registered or recorded, and if registered, the registration number. (4) The Registrar or District Registrar shall not provide any further information in respect of the search. Miscellaneous Matters - 40 Verify source ↗
Certified copy of entry in the register of births
AI-assisted research summary: Some people may apply to the High Court for a certified copy of a birth register entry, but only after paying the prescribed fee and meeting the court’s conditions.
Section 40—Certified copy of entry in the register of births (1) A person other than the person mentioned in subsection (5) of section 17 or the person whose birth registration information is sought may, by an application to the High Court, request the Registrar or a District Registrar to produce a certified copy of an entry in the register of births to that person. (2) The application made under subsection (1) is subject to the payment of the prescribed fee. (3) The Court shall, pursuant to the application made under subsection (1), make an order directed at the Registrar or a District Registrar to produce a certified copy of the entry in the register of births to the applicant if the Court is satisfied that (a) there is a compelling reason for the order to be granted; and (b) the applicant will not use the information obtained from the register of births for an improper purpose. (4) The Registrar or District Registrar shall comply with the order of the court made under subsection (3). 18 - 41 Verify source ↗
Certified copy of entry in the register of foetal deaths or register of deaths
AI-assisted research summary: Certain people may apply to the High Court for a certified copy of an entry in the registers of foetal deaths or deaths, but only on payment of the prescribed fee and subject to court approval.
Section 41—Certified copy of entry in the register of foetal deaths or register of deaths (1) A person other than the persons referred to in section 28 may, by an application to the High Court, request the Registrar or a District Registrar to produce it certified copy of the entry in the register of foetal deaths or register of deaths to that person. (2) The application in subsection (1) is subject to the payment of the prescribed fee. (3) The Court shall, pursuant to the application under subsection (1), make an order directed at the Registrar or a District Registrar to produce a certified copy of the entry in the register of foetal deaths or register of deaths to the applicant if the Court is satisfied that (a) there is a compelling reason for the order to be granted; and (b) the applicant will not use the information obtained from the register of foetal deaths or register of deaths for an Improper purpose. (4) The Registrar or District Registrar shall comply with the order of the court made under subsection (3). - 42 Verify source ↗
Certificate as evidence
AI-assisted research summary: A certificate issued under this Act counts as prima facie evidence of the facts stated in it.
Section 42—Certificate as evidence A certificate issued under this Act is prima facie evidence of the facts contained in the certificate. - 43 Verify source ↗
Information sharing
AI-assisted research summary: The Registry must put a unique number on specified certificates and documents, work with public agencies on information sharing, and provide necessary information to public agencies. It may share information with private entities if the Data Protection Act, 2012 is followed.
Section 43—Information sharing (1) A birth certificate, death certificate or any other document issued by the Registry shall bear a unique number for data management purposes. (2) The Registry shall collaborate with other public agencies in information and data sharing. (3) The Registry shall provide to a public agency, information that is necessary for the effective and efficient functioning of that public agency. (4) The Registry may, subject to the Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act 843), share information with a private entity that requires information in the possession of the Registry. - 44 Verify source ↗
Security protocols
AI-assisted research summary: The Registrar must use security protocols to protect Registry data and limit access to authorised persons only.
Section 44—Security protocols (1) The Registrar shall employ security protocols to ensure that data in the possession of the Registry is secured at all times. (2) The security protocols referred to in subsection (1) include biometric access and other state- of-the-art data protection features. (3) The Registrar shall allow only authorised persons to access the data of the Registry. (4) A person who is not authorised by the Registrar shall not use data which belongs to the Registry. - 45 Verify source ↗
Appeals
AI-assisted research summary: If an application under this Act is refused, the applicant may apply to a District Court for review, subject to section 36.
Section 45—Appeals Subject to section 36, an applicant whose application under this Act is refused may apply to a District Court for a review of the decision. 19 - 46 Verify source ↗
Offences and penalties
AI-assisted research summary: This section creates offences for failing to provide required notices or documents, breaking specified sections, altering certain registers improperly, or misusing Registry information, and sets fines or prison terms for each.
Section 46—Offences and penalties (1) A person who fails to give notice or refuses to provide information, a certificate or a document required under this Act, within the prescribed time, commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than five penalty units and not more than fifty penalty units. (2) A person who contravenes section 15 commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than twenty penalty units and not more than one hundred penalty units or to a term of imprisonment of not less than one month and not more than six months or to both. (3) A person who contravenes subsection (1) or (3) of section 33 commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than two hundred and fifty penalty units and not more than two thousand five hundred penalty units or to a term of imprisonment of not less than two years and not more than five years or to both. (4) A person commits an offence if that person alters a register of births, register of foetal deaths or register of deaths otherwise than in accordance with section 37, and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than five hundred penalty units and not more than three thousand penalty units or to a term of imprisonment of not less than three years and not more than six years or to both. (5) A person who (a) obtains, (b) uses, or (c) transmits, information obtained from the Registry for an unlawful purpose knowing or having reason to know that that purpose is unlawful, commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than one hundred penalty units and not more than one hundred and fifty penalty units or to a term of imprisonment of not less than six months and not more than twelve months or to both. (6) A Registration Assistant, Registration Officer, District Registrar or the Registrar shall not be personally liable under subsection (5), if the Registration Assistant, Registration Officer, District Registrar or Registrar acts in good faith and in accordance with the provisions of this Act. (7) A person who commits an offence under this Act in respect of which a penalty has not been provided is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than one hundred penalty units and not more than two thousand five hundred penalty units or to a term of imprisonment of not less than six months and not more than five years or to both. - 47 Verify source ↗
Regulations
AI-assisted research summary: The Minister must make Regulations within twelve months of this Act starting, by legislative instrument.
Section 47—Regulations The Minister shall, within twelve months of the coming into force of this Act, by legislative instrument, make Regulations (a) on the particulars for the registration of births, foetal deaths and deaths; 20 (b) to prescribe the forms and content of a certificate to be issued under this Act; (c) to provide for the disposition of dead bodies; (d) to provide detailed procedures for late registration; and (e) on any matter necessary for the effective and efficient implementation of this Act. - 48 Verify source ↗
Interpretation 3
AI-assisted research summary: This section defines key terms used in the Act, including birth, death, surrogacy, burial permit, and the roles of the Registrar and Deputy Registrar.
Section 48—Interpretation In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires, "assisted reproductive birth" means the use of modern technological advancement including fertility medication, artificial insemination and in vitro fertilisation to cause reproduction and childbirth other than by the orthodox means; "birth" means live-birth or complete expulsion or extraction from the mother of a product of conception, irrespective of the duration of pregnancy, which breathes or shows evidence of life like the beating of the heart, pulsation of the umbilical cord or definite movement of voluntary muscles whether or not the umbilical cord has been cut or the placenta is detached; "burial permit" means an authorisation issued under this Act to grant permission for the burial, cremation or any other form of disposition of the body of a deceased or a foetus; "death" means the permanent cessation of life in a person anytime after the live birth of that person; "Deputy Registrar" means the Deputy Registrar of Births and Deaths appointed under section 4 of this Act; "deserted" means wilful abandonment; "disposition" means burial, cremation or any other means of disposing of a dead body; "district" means the area of authority of a District Assembly or of a Municipal or Metropolitan Assembly; "District Assembly" includes a Metropolitan Assembly and a Municipal Assembly; "District Registrar" means a District Registrar of Births and Deaths provided for under section 8; "foetal death" means death before the complete expulsion or extraction from the mother of a baby irrespective of the duration of pregnancy, which does not breathe or show any other evidence of life like the beating of the heart, pulsation of the umbilical cord or definite movement of voluntary muscles; "health practitioner" includes a nurse, midwife, physician assistant or any other person approved under the Health Professions Regulatory Bodies Act, 2013 (Act 857); "intended parent" means a person who desires to be a parent through surrogacy or any other assisted reproductive birth arrangement; "medical practitioner" includes a physician, surgeon or any other person approved under the Health Professions Regulatory Bodies Act, 2013 (Act 857); 21 "Minister" means the Minister responsible for Local Government; "notification of birth" means the notice of the occurrence of a birth by a person in charge of a health facility, a traditional birth attendant or any other person authorised to do so under this Act; "notification of death" means the notice of the occurrence of a death by a person in charge of a health facility or any other person authorised to do so under this Act; "occupier" includes (a) the keeper, master, matron, superintendent or other chief resident officer of an institution; and (b) a person residing in a house, an apartment or a lodge; "person responsible for a child" means the person referred to in subsection (3) of section 17; "post-birth parental order" means an order from the High Court naming a person as the legal parent of a child who is already born; "pre-birth parental order" means an order from the High Court naming a person as the legal parent of a child who is yet to be born; "public agency" means an agency funded from public funds; "putative father" means a person claimed by the mother of a child to be the father of the child or a person who claims to be the father of a child; "Registrar" means the Registrar of Births and Deaths appointed under section 2; "relative" includes a relative by marriage; "substitute parentage order" means an order from the High Court naming a person as the legal parent of a child born to another person who, until the determination of the Court, might have been recognised as the parent of that child; "surrogacy" means an arrangement where (a) an embryo formed from an egg and sperm of persons other than a surrogate mother and the partner or husband of that surrogate mother is implanted into the surrogate mother, or (b) a gamete from a person other than the partner or husband of a surrogate mother is introduced into the surrogate mother to fertilise the egg of that surrogate mother, to enable the surrogate mother carry the foetus for the period of the pregnancy and give birth at the end of the period on behalf of another woman or the intended parent; "surrogate mother" means a woman who has accepted under a surrogacy [sic]agrement to carry a foetus for the period of the pregnancy and give birth to a baby at the end of the period on behalf of another woman or the intended parent; and "traditional birth attendant" means a certified pregnancy care giver who assists in a birth delivery in a setting other than that of a health facility. - 49 Verify source ↗
Repeal and savings
AI-assisted research summary: This section repeals the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1965, and keeps certain existing regulations, appointments, registers, certificates, and documents in effect by deeming them made or issued under this Act until they are revoked, cancelled, or terminated.
Section 49—Repeal and savings 22 (1) The Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1965 (Act 301) is repealed. (2) Despite the repeal of Act 301, (a) Regulations, Rules, Orders, by-laws, notices, directions or any other act, or (b) an appointment made or done under the repealed enactment and in force immediately before the coming into force of this Act are deemed to be made under this Act and shall have effect until revoked, cancelled or terminated. (3) A register of births, register of deaths or register of foetal deaths in use immediately before the coming into force of this Act and every certificate issued or document prepared under Act 301 is deemed to have been issued or prepared under the corresponding provisions of this Act. - 50 Verify source ↗
Transitional provisions
AI-assisted research summary: Existing staff of the Births and Deaths Registry must be transferred into the new Registry when the Act starts, and their employment terms must not be worse overall than before.
Section 50—Transitional provisions (1) A staff of the Births and Deaths Registry in existence before the coming into force of this Act shall, on the coming into force of this Act, be absorbed into the Births and Deaths Registry established under this Act. (2) A staff absorbed into the Births and Deaths Registry shall, on the coming into force of this Act, be deemed to have been duly employed on the terms and conditions which are not less in aggregate to the terms and conditions attached to the post held by that staff before the coming into force of this Act. Date of Gazette Notification: 6th October, 2020.
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Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 2020 (Act 1027)
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