Get Birth Certificates in Iceland

A birth certificate in Iceland is an important legal document used for obtaining a national ID number (kennitala), applying for an Icelandic passport, enrolling in school, and other official purposes. Iceland has a modern civil registration system with advanced digital services. This guide explains how to get birth certificates in Iceland, including in the capital Reykjavik and in Akureyri.

How Birth Registration Works in Iceland

In Iceland, civil registration including birth registration is handled by the National Registry (Þjóðskrá Íslands). When a baby is born in a hospital, the hospital automatically notifies Þjóðskrá Íslands, and the child is registered and assigned a kennitala (national identification number) within days. Parents do not generally need to visit any government office to complete the initial registration.

The kennitala is a unique 10-digit number assigned to every person registered in Iceland, used for all official interactions including taxes, healthcare, education, and legal matters. Iceland’s digital government services allow citizens to manage civil documents largely online through island.is.

Documents Required for a Birth Certificate in Iceland

Because births are automatically reported by the hospital to Þjóðskrá Íslands, the administrative burden on parents is minimal. To obtain a birth certificate extract or related civil document, residents can:

Log into island.is with electronic ID (rafræn skilríki) or mobile authentication
Request an extract of personal data or birth records from Þjóðskrá online
Visit a Þjóðskrá service center in person with identification (Icelandic passport or national ID)

For foreign nationals, the hospital birth is still reported automatically, but parents may need to contact Þjóðskrá for registration of the child’s citizenship status and name.

Getting a Birth Certificate in Reykjavik

Reykjavik is the capital of Iceland and home to the majority of the country’s population. Þjóðskrá Íslands has its headquarters in Reykjavik, and the main service center is located there. Reykjavik residents can request birth extracts and other civil documents online through island.is, which is Iceland’s unified digital government portal.

Iceland’s digital government services are among the most advanced in the world. Reykjavik residents with electronic ID can access virtually all civil registry services online. Physical birth certificate extracts can be delivered by post or collected in person at the Þjóðskrá office in Reykjavik.

Getting a Birth Certificate in Akureyri

Akureyri is Iceland’s second-largest city, located in the north of the country. The process in Akureyri is identical to Reykjavik — births are reported automatically by the hospital, and birth documents can be requested through island.is or at the local Þjóðskrá service point. As Iceland’s civil registry is fully national and digital, there is no difference in the process between cities or regions.

Akureyri residents who need in-person services can visit the Þjóðskrá service point in Akureyri, or for more complex matters, travel to the main office in Reykjavik. Iceland’s compact geography and excellent transport links make this practical.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the kennitala in Iceland?

The kennitala is Iceland’s unique 10-digit national identification number assigned to every person registered in Iceland, including at birth. It is used in all official interactions — taxes, healthcare, banking, education, and legal matters. Both natural persons and legal entities have a kennitala.

Can I get an Icelandic birth certificate online?

Yes. Through island.is with Icelandic electronic ID (rafræn skilríki), residents can request personal data extracts and civil documents digitally. Iceland’s online government services are highly developed and widely used.

Can an Icelandic birth certificate be apostilled?

Yes. Iceland is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. Apostilles for Icelandic civil documents are issued by the Ministry of Justice or the District Commissioner (Sýslumaður) offices.

What happens if a child is born to foreign nationals in Iceland?

Births to foreign nationals are reported automatically by the hospital. Parents should contact Þjóðskrá for guidance on the child’s citizenship status and name registration, as Iceland has specific rules on names and citizenship that depend on parents’ nationality and residence status.

Conclusion

Getting a birth certificate in Iceland is a seamless process thanks to the country’s automated civil registration and advanced digital government services. Whether in Reykjavik or Akureyri, parents benefit from hospital-initiated reporting to Þjóðskrá Íslands and can request birth extracts digitally through island.is. The kennitala assigned at birth is the cornerstone of civil and digital identity in Iceland.