If a Birth Certificate was not issued at birth, but a Hospital Record of Birth or Baptismal Certificate was obtained, an Affidavit must be prepared by a member of the applicants family having knowledge of the birth.

The Affidavit must be sworn to before an officer authorised to administer oaths. The Hospital or Baptismal Certificate must be attached to the Affidavit, and submitted to the Registrar General requesting issuance of a late Birth Certificate.

Registration of birth is compulsory. Birth Certificates are available to any applicant born on or after January 1, 1973 and can be obtained by the applicant applying to:

Registrar General of Births, Deaths & Marriages
P.O. Box 32311
LUSAKA, ZAMBIA
Tel: (260-1) 228197

Application for a marriage certificate can be made in writing to:

Registrar General of Births, Deaths & Marriages
P.O. Box 32311
LUSAKA, ZAMBIA
Tel: (260-1) 228197

Application for a death certificate can be made in writing by the next of kin of the deceased whose death was registered in Zambia to:

Registrar General of Births, Deaths & Marriages
P.O. Box 32311
LUSAKA, ZAMBIA
Tel: (260-1) 228197

You must obtain a set of fingerprints taken on a standard finger print form at any Police Station in the area of residence. The set of fingerprints obtained will then be forwarded by courier to the Inspector General of Police, Zambia Police for the attention of the Director C.I.D. The forwarded fingerprints should be accompanied by fees in form of international postal order or bank certified cheque.

Please note: Faxed and photocopied prints are not allowed and will not be processed.

Fees

• $100.00 for Zambians living abroad
• $150.00 for non Zambians living abroad

Make the Money Order payable to the Inspector General of Police and send to:

The Deputy Commissioner of Police (C.I.D.)
Office of the Inspector-General
Independence Avenue
P.O. Box 50104
Lusaka, Zambia

Tel: (260-1) 251827/253764
Fax: (260-1) 253543/253537

Enclose a pre-paid envelope of the courier of your choice for them to return the Police Certificate to you.

Citizenship by birth

A person born in Zambia is a citizen by birth if, at the time of that person’s birth, at least one parent is or was a citizen of Zambia.

Citizenship by descent

A person born outside Zambia is a citizen by descent if, at the time of that person’s birth, at least one parent is or was a citizen of Zambia

Citizenship by Registration

A person is entitled to apply to be registered as a citizen if that person has attained the age of 18 and –

•  was born in Zambia and has been ordinarily resident in Zambia for a period of at least five years.
•  was born outside Zambia, has or had an ancestor who is, or was a Zambian citizen, and has been ordinarily resident in Zambia for a period of at least five years
•  has been ordinarily resident in Zambia for a continuous period of at least ten years; immediately preceding that person’s application for registration.
•  is or was married to a citizen of Zambia for a period of at least five years.

Note: Applications for Citizenship by Registration have to be logged in Zambia.