The Immigration Department has reviewed cases in which parents failed to register child births within the time limit and has arranged post-registrations for parents in 22 cases.
The department recently reviewed the arrangements regarding birth registration and conducted investigations into some cases.
Among the 55 cases detected, legal advice on prosecution is being sought on 10 cases while 12 are still under investigation. The department is trying to contact the parents for the remaining 33 cases.
Under the current practice, the department will remind parents, by sending them letters three, six and nine months after the birth of their children, of their birth registration duty.
It will investigate cases in which records are still outstanding after repeated reminders and will seek assistance from Police to locate parents when necessary.
Under the law, parents should register a birth within 42 days. Failing to do so could lead to a fine and jail.
The child’s entitlement to medical treatment, education and welfare benefits can also be affected if their birth registration is delayed, the department added.
