Registration of Birth outside Sri Lanka

For registration of a birth of a child born outside Sri Lanka, either the father or the mother of the child should be a citizen of Sri Lanka at the time of the birth of the child. The father or the mother of the child may submit an application for registration of the birth.

In terms of the Births and Deaths Registration Ordinance, birth of a child born to a Sri Lankan national abroad should be registered within three months from the date of birth. This process is for the purpose of obtaining a Sri Lankan birth certificate.

In addition, the Citizenship Act stipulates that such a birth should also be registered with the Sri Lanka Diplomatic Mission accredited to the respective country (In the case of Switzerland, the Sri Lanka Consulate General in Geneva).

Alternately, such a birth can be registered directly with the Citizenship Division of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Wayamba Development & Cultural Affairs in Colombo. This process is for the purpose of obtaining a Citizenship certificate. The Citizenship Division of the Ministry of Inernal Affairs, Wayamba Development & Cultural Affairs is now located at Department of Immigration & Emigration, ''Suhurupaya", Sri Subhuthipura Road, Battaramulla, Sri Lanka (Telephone: 0094-11-5329000).

If an application for registration of birth is made after 03 months from the date of birth, the reason for the delay should be given in writing at the time of the application.

Any application made after 1 year from the date of birth will be forwarded to the Department of Registrar General in Colombo for an appropriate decision. In this case, it would be necessary to submit an additional declaration.

Application forms for both birth and citizenship registration can be downloaded from this website. Alternately, they may be obtained from the Consulate General by sending a CHF 2.00 stamped self- addressed envelope with a photocopy of the child’s Swiss Birth Certificate.

Required Documents and Application for Birth and Citizenship Registration – Child under 3 months

Required Documents and Application for Birth and Citizenship Registration – Child over 3 months

Required Documents and Application for Birth and Citizenship Registration – Child over 1 year