4 Types of Birth Certificates and Their Designations
Possessing civil administration documents is crucial to guarantee a child’s civil status. The public needs to recognise the various types of birth certificates in order to manage the appropriate document according to their respective family’s legal circumstances. Based on official guidelines from the Directorate General of Population and Civil Registration (Ditjen Dukcapil) of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the issuance of birth certificates is distinguished by the parents’ marital status and the child’s origin conditions. This classification aims to ensure that every citizen receives legal recognition, regardless of their birth background.
Types of Birth Certificates Based on Marital Status
- Birth Certificate for a Child of a Mother and Father
Designated for families with a legal marriage bond. This document is issued for a child born to a couple whose marriage is legally valid according to religion and has been officially registered by the state, either at the Office of Religious Affairs (KUA) or the Civil Registry Office.
- Birth Certificate for a Child of a Mother (for children born outside of legal marriage)
This certificate is issued for children born outside of a legal marriage bond or whose parents’ marriage has not been legally recorded by the state, in which only the name of the biological mother will be listed on the document.
Below are the details of the legal umbrellas for these two types of certificates:
Child of a Mother & Father Certificate: Refers to Article 7 paragraph (1) of Law No. 1/1974 concerning Marriage and the Population Administration Law No. 24/2013 regarding direct data integration with the Marriage Book/Marriage Certificate. The document will bear the phrase: “…the first/second/etc. child of husband and wife…”
Child of a Mother Certificate: Regulated in Article 43 paragraph (1) of Law No. 1/1974 (Before Amendment) as well as Minister of Home Affairs Regulation (Permendagri) No. 108/2019 which governs the technical issuance if there is no proof of a legal parental marriage.
Types of Birth Certificates with Special Conditions
- Birth Certificate for a Child of a Mother & Father with the Phrase “Not Yet Registered”
This document is designated for children whose parents are married legally according to religion (such as an unregistered or ‘siri’ marriage), but the marriage has not yet been registered at the KUA or Civil Registry Office. Through a special clause based on Constitutional Court Decision No. 46/PUU-VIII/2010 and Permendagri No. 108/2019 & No. 73/2022, the father’s name can still be included on the certificate by attaching a Statement of Absolute Responsibility (SPTJM). The certificate will contain the phrase: “…child of a father and a mother whose marriage has not been registered in accordance with the prevailing laws and regulations.”
- Foundling Birth Certificate
This certificate is specifically made for children who are found, abandoned, or neglected, and whose identity and the whereabouts of their biological parents are unknown. The following are the legal bases for issuing a Foundling Birth Certificate:
Refers to Article 55 of Law No. 24/2013 which regulates the birth registration of children whose origins are unknown, where the registration is based on an Official Investigation Report (BAP) from the police.
According to Permendagri No. 108/2019, the issuance process uses an SPTJM for Child Origin signed by the guardian or social institution providing care, supported by the Police BAP. The adjustment of the child’s name and adoptive parents will follow adoption regulations.