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A name

7-12

years

old

What does this mean?

The UNCRC says that you have a right to a name and to an identity.

You have the right to know who you are.

When you are born, it is your parents’ responsibility to register your birth so that the government has an official record of who you are. When you are registered, you can be protected by the laws in your country.

In Ireland, once your parents register you, you are given a birth certificate and your own personal ID number called a PPS number. This number lets you use important services that all children need like hospitals and schools.

Did you know?

Millions of children around the world are not registered at birth.

Children living in poverty in rural areas are most affected because registration centres are too far from their homes or it is too expensive for parents to register their children.

Children forced to escape wars or natural disasters also often lose their identity documents. This makes them more vulnerable as they can’t prove who they are. It can also make it difficult to find their relatives if they become separated from their family.

Find out what you can do when you’re not getting your rights.