Joseph Isangura
The Registration, Insolvency, and Trusteeship Agency (RITA) has provided clear legal guidance on birth certificate registration, particularly in cases where the father’s identity is uncertain.
According to RITA, it is unlawful to list a non-biological father on a child’s birth certificate. The agency emphasizes that if there is any doubt about the biological father’s identity, the correct course of action is to mark “Unknown” under the father’s section on the birth certificate.
RITA made this clarification in response to a trend where some mothers, due to personal reasons or disputes with the child’s father, have been falsely registering paternal information. The agency has warned that such actions are illegal and could have long-term consequences, particularly for the child, who has the right to know their true biological heritage.
Joseph Mwakatobe, an official at RITA, stressed that the law protects children’s rights, ensuring they have accurate personal records. He also mentioned that no matter the circumstances between parents, including estrangement or disputes, falsely identifying the father is a violation of the law. “Even if the father does not fulfill his parental responsibilities, the child has a right to proper identification,” Mwakatobe said.
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For parents who are unsure of the process, RITA also outlined steps for obtaining birth certificates, which include submitting necessary documentation like clinic or baptismal records to verify the child’s birth details. This ensures that every child has a legally recognized identity based on truthful information.
RITA’s stance aims to reinforce responsible practices among parents while upholding children’s legal rights to accurate identification in Tanzania’s civil registration system.
