In Papua New Guinea (PNG), legal identity is officially recognized primarily through a birth certificate and the National Identification (NID) card. [1]All PNG citizens are required to register births at the nearest registration office, typically at a hospital or a local government office. [2]To register a birth, both parents must provide their nationality. [3]It is unclear whether applications for children whose parents have no nationality are accepted in implementation, but this could present a barrier for stateless parents registering their child’s birth in PNG. Citizens aged 18 or older must additionally register for an NID card, which can replace the birth certificate for identity verification purposes. [4]The NID card verifies a person’s identity, citizenship, and residency, incorporating biometric data such as a photo and fingerprints. [5]Parents’ nationality is also required for applications for an NID card for new citizens, which could present similar barriers for children born to stateless parents. [6]
In 2018, Papua New Guinea’s birth registration rate was reported at only 13%, the lowest in the entire Asia-Pacific region. [7]Of this 13%, only 7% have a birth certificate. [8]Considering a birth certificate is the primary main form of legal identity in Papua New Guinea, this low registration rate is concerning, pointing to low access to legal identity for a significant portion of Papua New Guinea’s population. [9]To amend this, PNG has committed to “ensuring 50% of children have their births registered” in 2025. [10]Additionally, the Prime Minister has ordered that all citizens apply for an NID card by September 16, 2025, the day of the country’s 50th anniversary of independence. [11]
Public doubt that this goal will be achieved as only 36% of those who have applied for an NID card since 2023 have been issued one, revealing implementation issues. [12]The NID card would allow access to essential services, including health care and education. [13]
Under the new Civil and Identity Registration Act (2024), a unique identification number is assigned upon birth registration, which will be attached to their NID card upon NID card registration. [14]Under the Act, foundlings are registered by notifying the Registrar-General of the foundling within 21 days of the date found. [15]The Act also states that NID cards are “valid for all lawful transactions”, including taxation, banking, school enrollment, health services, voting, and vehicle registration. [16]Notably, Article 48(7) of the Act states that in the absence of a birth registration document or NID card, authorities “shall not deny access to these services”. [17]Under Article 74, circumstances in which an individual’s vital statistics data may be shared are listed, including in the event of a national emergency, by request of a parent about their child who is a minor, or by constitutional or legal mandate. [18]
