O registo civil de nascimento e os pressupostos para a cobertura universal de recém-nascidos

Abstract

The civil registration of birth is realized through the declaration of the child's birth, made by the parents and other concerned parties, with the primary responsibility resting on the State to register the event, through civil registry offices and registration posts. Utilizing, among others, bibliographical, exploratory, and deductive research methods, the aim is to analyse the legal implications arising from the lack of observance of the dichotomy between birth and the registration process. In the chapter dedicated to the historical evolution of civil birth registration, the document explores events from ancient times to the colonial period in Mozambique, highlighting the transition to an electronic civil registration system. In Chapter 3, the registration of birth is discussed as a human right, implicit in children's rights, child dignity, and legal personality. In the discussion on the national legal framework, the document extensively addresses certain procedures that may pose obstacles in accessing public services. It is concluded that civil birth registration is mandatory, with the purpose of providing legal recognition to the child after birth, within a period of 180 days. However, technical-legal gaps in procedure application, legal discrepancies, non-compliance with norms by declarants, and lack of government resources are identified. As a result, many children become invisible in national statistics and face difficulties in accessing other rights, even running the risk of statelessness.