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A name

Q: Did you know?

According to UNICEF , 150 million children under the age of 5 are not registered. This is about 2 in every 10 children worldwide who are at risk of trafficking, exploitation and being denied other basic rights. More than half of all unregistered children worldwide (90 million) live in Sub-Saharan Africa . Around 42 million live in Central and Southern Asia .

13 – 17

years

old

What does this mean?

How is this right protected in Ireland?

Does every child enjoy this right?

Did you know?

Interesting fact!

What does this mean?

Article 7 of the UNCRC says that all children have the right to a name and an identity.

This means that children must be registered as soon as possible after they are born. Usually, children’s parents are given a birth certificate as proof that their child has been registered.

Birth registration is the first step towards enjoying all your other rights. It gives you a legal identity and this helps you to access essential services in your country – such as vaccines, healthcare, applying for a passport and enrolling in a school.

How is this right protected in Ireland?

Under a law called the Civil Registration Act 2004 parents must register their child within 3 months of their birth.

There are lots of ways parents can register their child. They can do this by post, email, in-person, or online. There is no fee in Ireland for registering a birth. However, parents must pay €20 for their child’s birth certificate.

If you were adopted and are over 16, you have the right to access information about your birth including your birth certificate, information about your early life and medical information.

Under the Gender Recognition Act 2015, young people aged 16 or 17 can change their legally recognised gender. To do this, a parent or guardian must apply for a gender recognition certificate from the courts on their behalf.

Does every child enjoy this right?

While many children in Ireland take this right for granted, children who have come to live here from other countries may not have proof of their identity for many reasons. This can make it harder for them to access the support they need here, especially older teenagers, who need to prove they are under 18 and entitled to their rights as children.

Did you know?

According to UNICEF, 150 million children under the age of 5 are not registered. This is about 2 in every 10 children worldwide who are at risk of trafficking, exploitation and being denied other basic rights.

More than half of all unregistered children worldwide (90 million) live in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Around 42 million live in Central and Southern Asia.

Interesting fact!

Many countries around the world have laws which ban parents from giving their children names that are offensive, embarrassing or unpronounceable.

Countries like Iceland and Denmark even have lists of approved names that parents must choose from!

In New Zealand official titles cannot be used as names. Examples of names that have been rejected include Prince, King, Princess, Judge and Pope!

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