Birth certificate in Honduras
What people call a partida de nacimiento is, in law, the registration of the birth in the Civil Registry and the certification issued from that registration. It is governed by the Ley del Registro Nacional de las Personas (Decreto 62-2004). This page explains what that law says. It is not the RNP’s counter.
Registering a birth is compulsory, and it is free
"Registration of a birth with the Civil Registry is compulsory; it shall be carried out by the father or the mother carrying their respective identity cards..." - Article 55
Article 37 lists registrations among the services the RNP provides free of charge, and Article 53 gives one (1) year from the birth to do it.
What it is for
Article 48 explains why the document carries so much weight: no act or fact concerning a person has legal effect against third parties until the registration is made. And under Article 39, registrations are full proof of their content unless annulled by a final judgment, and certifications carry that same value.
Who has to register it
Article 55 sets an order. The father or mother does it, carrying their identity card, or the under-18 card where applicable. Failing them, their legal representatives. Failing all of those, relatives living in the same household who know of the birth, whoever attended the delivery, or the authorised person from the institution with custody of the newborn.
Which surname comes first, and how many given names
Article 52 is explicit: the father’s first surname is registered as the first surname and the mother’s first surname as the second. Where the father does not acknowledge the child, both of the mother’s surnames are registered. Compound surnames in common use count as one.
On given names, Article 51 leaves the choice to the parents, with three exceptions: the Registrar will not register names contrary to morality or good custom, names identical to those of a living sibling, or more than three (3) given names.
What is free
Article 37 lists the free services. Those bearing on a birth are:
- Registrations.
- Certificates confirming a registration (constancias de inscripción).
- Certifications of a birth registration for people under eighteen (18).
- Certificates stating that no registration is on file.
- Correction of registrations, where the error is the institution’s own.
If the birth was abroad
Article 54 allows children of a Honduran father or mother born outside the country to be registered, within the same period, before Diplomatic or Consular Agents. They forward the certification to the RNP, which orders it incorporated into the Distrito Central registry unless the parents named another municipality. If it was not done in time at the consulate, it can be registered later at the request of an interested party.
If the birth was never registered
This is the hardest case, and the law treats it separately. Once the year in Article 53 has passed, it is no longer a registration: you apply for a reposición por omisión before the Departmental or Sectional Civil Officer, under Article 78. Article 84 sets out exactly what evidence must be brought. These three are required:
- A certificate from the Civil Registrar of the place of birth stating that no entry exists in the corresponding book.
- Witness statements from two (2) or more adults, neighbours of the same place of origin or residence, who are at least five (5) years older than the applicant.
- A certification of the birth, naturalisation or death registration of the father or mother; a passport or other reliable document if they are foreign.
And, in addition, at least two (2) of these documents:
- A birth statement from the hospital director or health-centre officer, or a record of attendance at the birth from a doctor, nurse or state-authorised midwife.
- A pre-school or school enrolment certification.
- A baptism record.
- A vaccination card.
- A certification of the birth registration of any sibling.
- A certification of the parents’ marriage registration.
- A sworn statement declaring the applicant’s paternity or maternity.
- A certification of the ruling on posesión notoria del estado de hijo.
- A death certification of the person whose birth registration is sought.
The same article anticipates that, because of age, witnesses five years older cannot always be found. In that case one (1) further item from the list above must be produced.
Once the ruling is issued, Article 79 requires it to be published for ten (10) working days on the notice boards, so that anyone may object. If there is an objection, Article 80 sets ten (10) working-day periods for the evidence and for the ruling.
If you are refused
They may not refuse. Article 29 expressly forbids the Civil Registrar from refusing to register vital facts and acts, and from refusing to issue constancias and certifications. Article 34 imposes the same prohibition on Departmental and Sectional Civil Officers for matters within their competence.
Where the procedure is done
At the Registro Nacional de las Personas. This page does not reproduce addresses, opening hours, counter requirements or the steps of the online portal, because none of that is in the law and it changes without a decree being published. Confirm it directly with the RNP.
Related questions on the RNP and identity paperwork are under RNP and paperwork questions.