HAMILTON, Bermuda, Sept 21, CMC – Government Monday announced new new restrictions on who can obtain a certified copy of a birth certificate saying that the change is designed to protect the public against identity theft and fraud involving one of Bermuda’s most widely relied-upon identity documents.
The David Burt government said that the Registration (Births and Deaths) Amendment Act 2026 takes effect Monday noting that people frequently use birth certificates to establish identity when applying for passports, driver’s licences, financial services and a range of other official services.
“A review by the Registry General, supported by findings of the National Anti-Money Laundering Committee Working Group, identified the unrestricted public availability of certified birth certificates as a potential vulnerability that could be exploited for fraudulent purposes, the government said.
The government said as of today, a certified birth certificate may only be issued to the individual to whom the certificate relates; a parent or guardian of the individual, or a child or grandchild of the individual who is at least 18 years of age; a person authorised in writing by the individual, who must be at least 18 years of age as well as a police officer with a court order authorising the obtaining of a copy or a public officer who the Registrar General is satisfied requires a copy to carry out statutory duties.
The Registry General has issued a Public Guidance Note setting out the categories of eligible applicants and the documents required to confirm identity and entitlement in each case, including for applications made by a parent, guardian, child, grandchild, authorised person, or legal representative.
The government also said that the right to search the birth register will take place during ordinary office hours, upon payment of the prescribed fee.
CMC/2026