Navigating the process of obtaining birth, death, and national ID certificates in Zimbabwe can be challenging. Our comprehensive guide aims to simplify the process by providing the latest fee information, clear instructions, and answers to frequently asked questions. Whether you need a birth certificate for your newborn, a replacement ID, or a death certificate for legal purposes, we have got you covered. Please know that these fees are in USD but you can pay in ZiG at the prevailing rate on the day you make payment.
National, Birth and Death Registration Fees on Thursday, 25 July 2024
| Service | Cost Amount in USD | Amount in ZiG |
|---|---|---|
| Searching birth or records for any one year of any document | US$1.00 | 14 ZiG |
| Photocopying any birth or death document/page | US$0.20 | 3 ZiG |
| Initial birth certifcate for persons six years or younger | US$0.00 | 0 ZiG |
| Initial birth certifcate for persons above six years | US$5.00 | 69 ZiG |
| Initial death certificate | US$2.00 | 28 ZiG |
| Certified copy of an entry of birth or death certificate | US$5.00 | 69 ZiG |
| An extract of an entry relating to birth or death | US$2.00 | 28 ZiG |
| A certifcate not provided elsewhere | US$2.00 | 28 ZiG |
| For altering a name in register or correcting an error | US$5.00 | 69 ZiG |
| Correcting an error orignating from the Department | US$0.00 | 0 ZiG |
| For a change of surname by notarial deed | US$50.00 | 689 ZiG |
| For a change of surname by Registrar-General | US$5.00 | 69 ZiG |
| Authentication | US$20.00 | 276 ZiG |
| Re-registration (for legitimacy purposes) | US$20.00 | 276 ZiG |
| Urgent birth/death certicate | US$10.00 | 138 ZiG |
| External birth certificate | US$15.00 | 207 ZiG |
| Non-citizen birth certificate (initial) | US$10.00 | 138 ZiG |
| Non-citizen birth certificate (duplicate) | US$25.00 | 345 ZiG |
| Searching ID records for any year or any document entryor other record | US$2.00 | 28 ZiG |
| For fingerprint clearance | US$1.00 | 14 ZiG |
| Urgent fingerprint clearance | US$5.00 | 69 ZiG |
| National ID (Initial registration for persons aged 16-18) | US$0.00 | 0 ZiG |
| National ID (Initial registration for persons above 18 years) | US$2.00 | 28 ZiG |
| Replacement of lost or torn paper ID document | US$5.00 | 69 ZiG |
| Urgent replacement of torn or lost paper ID document | US$10.00 | 138 ZiG |
| Replacement of lost or defaced metal or plastic ID document (resident) | US$10.00 | 138 ZiG |
| Replacement of lost or defaced metal or plastic ID document (non-resident) | US$15.00 | 207 ZiG |
| Application for plastic changeover from metal ID to plastic ID (resident) | US$20.00 | 276 ZiG |
| Application for plastic changeover from metal ID to plastic ID (non-resident) | US$30.00 | 414 ZiG |
| Correction of ID error due to applicant on paper ID | US$10.00 | 138 ZiG |
| Correction of an error due to applicant on plastic ID | US$25.00 | 345 ZiG |
| Correction of error due to Department | US$0.00 | 0 ZiG |
| Change of name on plastic, metal or paper ID | US$0.00 | 0 ZiG |
| Change of name on plastic, metal or paper ID other than after marriage | US$25.00 | 345 ZiG |
| Change of citizen status | US$40.00 | 551 ZiG |
| Change of name on ID by notarial deed | US$100.00 | 1 379 ZiG |
Last Updated on Wednesday 31 January 2024 at 17:05:46 Central Africa Time
Citizen Status Fees on Thursday, 25 July 2024
| Service | Cost Amount in USD | Amount in ZiG |
|---|---|---|
| Searching a set of citizen records/set | US$10.00 | 138 ZiG |
| Making a photocopy of any document/Page | US$0.10 | 1 ZiG |
| Issuance of a Temporary Travel Document (TTD) | US$40.00 | N/A |
| Certificate of confirmation of citizenship (citizenship status certificate) | US$50.00 | 689 ZiG |
| Certificate of registration of citizenship by descent (adult) | US$50.00 | 689 ZiG |
| Certificate of registration of citizenship by descent (minor) | US$50.00 | 689 ZiG |
| Certificate of renunciation of Zimbabwean citizenship | US$200.00 | 2 757 ZiG |
| Restoration of citizenship by descent | US$50.00 | 689 ZiG |
| Restoration of citizenship otherwise than descent | US$1,000.00 | 13 785 ZiG |
| Restoration of citizenship by SADC descentants under Section 9A of the Act | US$50.00 | 689 ZiG |
| Initial registration as a citizen of a foreign permanent resident (minor/adult) | US$5,000.00 | N/A |
Last Updated on Wednesday 31 January 2024 at 17:30:12 Central Africa Time
Note
- Prices are indexed in USD but can be paid in ZiG at the prevailing interbank rate. Check the current interbank rate here.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Either parent can apply for a birth certificate. If the parents are legally married, either parent can register the child but must bring the national identity card of the other spouse. If the parents are not legally married, both parents must be present to sign a declaration of paternity.
For children born in a hospital:
Birth confirmation record from the hospital or clinic
Mother and father’s national identity cards
Marriage certificate (if applicable)
For children born out of a hospital:
Baptismal certificate or
One witness with a national identity card, preferably a midwife, or a letter from the farmer if born on a farm
The cost for an initial birth certificate for newborns is US$5.00 or the equivalent in ZiG (see the table above for ZiG fees)
Yes, single mothers can register their children under their maiden name if the biological father refuses to acknowledge paternity or if his whereabouts are unknown
Initial ID for persons above 16 years requires:
Long birth certificate
Parent’s national ID cards
If applicable, a marriage certificate.
The replacement fee for a lost national ID is US$10.00 or the equivalent of US$10.00 in ZiG
You can apply for a correction at the Registrar’s office. The fee for correcting an error is US$5.00 or the equivalent of this in ZiG. Documentary evidence, such as school certificates or hospital records, must be produced to substantiate the correction
The normal processing time for a birth certificate is up to 5 working days. Urgent processing takes 24 hours. Sometimes a birth certificate can be produced in as little as 30 minutes. It all depends on circumstances and if there is a backlog or an issue at the Registrar’s Offices
Non-citizens can apply for birth certificates only if they are eligible for citizenship. The fee is US$50.00 for an initial certificate and US$30.00 for a duplicate
To register a death, the following are required:
Death entry number of the deceased
Marriage certificate if the deceased was married
If customarily married or cohabiting, the spouse must call at the office with relatives of the deceased
The cost to replace a lost birth certificate is US$5.00 or the equivalent of this in ZiG
Requirements include national ID cards for both parties and in some cases, a pre-marriage counselling certificate.
Yes, but the birth certificate will only include the mother’s details unless the father is present to sign the declaration of paternity
The fee for fingerprint clearance is US$5.00 or the equivalent in ZiG. Urgent fingerprint clearance costs US$10.00 or the equivalent in ZiG.
To replace a lost national ID, you need the long birth certificate, a police report, and the replacement fee.
Yes, grandparents can register a birth if the parents are deceased or unavailable, but they need to provide proof of their relationship and the relevant documents
You need to provide the original death certificate issued abroad, translated into English if necessary, and the deceased’s national ID or passport
The fee for re-registration for legitimacy purposes is US$20.00.
To change the name on a birth certificate after marriage, you need the original birth certificate, your marriage certificate, and a fee of US$5.00 or the equivalent in ZiG.
f the parents are not legally married, both parents’ national identity cards and the birth confirmation record from the hospital are required. Both parents must be present to sign a declaration of paternity. Single mothers can register the child under their maiden name if the father does not acknowledge paternity or his whereabouts are unknown.
Yes, children born out of hospital can be registered with a baptismal certificate or a witness with a national identity card. In the case of a child born on a farm, a witness or a letter from the farmer is required
Applicants must provide their national identity card, a baptismal certificate (if applicable), the national identity card of a near relative, and a letter from their employer (if employed). Citizenship status must be established beyond doubt.
Late birth registration can be done for children born in a medical institution or outside a medical institution after one year from the date of birth. Requirements vary based on the circumstances of the birth and the parent’s marital status.
The minimum processing time for a normal duplicate birth or death certificate is 5 working days. Urgent processing takes 24 hours.
Yes, if the father is unwilling or unavailable, the child can still be registered under the mother’s name alone
Requirements include the long birth certificate, the current plastic ID card (if available), and a police report for lost IDs
Yes, a married woman can choose to use her maiden name or her husband’s surname for registering her child
Children must be registered in the district where they were born, but in exceptional cases, the Registrar General may allow registration in a different district
A birth certificate is essential for accessing health services, enrolling in school, and claiming inheritance rights. It serves as the first official form of identity linking an individual to their state and securing their rights as a citizen
