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Get Birth Certificates in Eritrea – Asmara and Keren

A birth certificate in Eritrea is an essential civil document required for school enrollment, obtaining a national identity card, and applying for travel documents. Civil registration in Eritrea is administered by the Ministry of Local Government through regional (zoba) administration offices. Asmara, the capital, and Keren, the second-largest city and capital of the Anseba Region, are the primary centers for civil registration services.
Birth Registration in Eritrea
Eritrea’s civil registration system operates through a network of regional and sub-regional offices. Births in Eritrea should be registered promptly at the local civil administration office. The country has made efforts to improve birth registration coverage through its community health and administration networks. Hospital births come with a birth notification document that initiates the registration process.
Documents Required
- Hospital or health center birth notification
- National identity cards or identity documents of both parents
- Completed birth registration form
- Witness statements (for home births or late registrations)
How to Get a Birth Certificate in Asmara
Asmara’s civil registration services are handled through the Maekel (Central) Region administration offices. To obtain a birth certificate in Asmara:
- Visit the civil registration section of the regional or sub-regional administration office in Asmara
- Submit the hospital birth notification
- Present both parents’ identity documents
- Complete the birth registration form
- Pay the applicable fee and receive the birth certificate
Hospitals in Asmara such as Orotta National Referral Hospital and Halibet Hospital issue birth notifications that can be used to initiate the registration process.

How to Get a Birth Certificate in Keren
Keren is the administrative capital of the Anseba Region and has a regional administration office that handles civil registration. To get a birth certificate in Keren:
- Go to the Anseba Region administration office in Keren
- Submit the birth notification from the hospital or health center
- Provide both parents’ identity documents
- Fill in the registration form and pay the fee
- Collect the birth certificate
Late Birth Registration in Eritrea
For births not registered within a reasonable time, late registration is possible through the local civil administration office. Additional supporting documents including witness statements and available medical or community records may be required. Contact the nearest regional administration office for guidance on the specific requirements for late registration.
Tips for Getting a Birth Certificate in Eritrea
- Register the birth as soon as possible after delivery
- Keep the hospital birth notification document safe — it is needed for civil registration
- Both parents should be present with their identity documents at the administration office
- For Eritreans abroad, the nearest Eritrean embassy or consulate provides civil registration services and can assist with obtaining birth certificates
Frequently Asked Questions
What languages is the Eritrean birth certificate issued in?
Eritrea has three working languages — Tigrinya, Arabic, and English. Civil documents including birth certificates may be issued in one or more of these languages depending on the issuing office and regional practice.
How can Eritreans in the diaspora get a birth certificate?
Eritreans living abroad can contact their nearest Eritrean embassy or consulate. The embassy can assist with civil registration and issuance of birth certificates for Eritrean nationals and their children born abroad.
Is a birth certificate required for school enrollment in Eritrea?
Yes. A birth certificate is a standard requirement for primary school enrollment in Eritrea and for other official purposes including national identity registration.
Conclusion
Obtaining a birth certificate in Eritrea through the regional administration offices in Asmara or Keren is an important step for establishing civil identity. Prompt registration using the hospital birth notification and parents’ identity documents ensures a smooth process. For those facing difficulties, regional administration offices and Eritrean embassies abroad can provide guidance.