Every child deserves to be seen, counted and protected. Birth registration is the first step. Here are answers to some of the most common questions about this important area of our work:
Pictured above: Mahesh, his twin brother Suresh and sister Anita with their birth certificates, pictured in Kathmandu, Nepal.
What is birth registration and why does it matter?
Every child has the right to a name and nationality. Birth registration is the official recording of a child’s birth by a government authority. It gives a child a legal identity and a birth certificate - a document that proves they exist. Without it, children are invisible to the state and often denied basic rights like education, healthcare, and protection from exploitation.
Is a birth certificate really that important?
Yes. Every day a child goes unregistered, they miss out on rights and opportunities. A birth certificate is far more than a piece of paper – it is the key that unlocks a child’s future. Without this simple document, children remain invisible - unable to claim their rights and vulnerable to harm.
How many children are currently unregistered worldwide?
Despite progress in recent years, the scale of the problem is still huge. According to UNICEF, around 150 million children under the age of five remain unregistered worldwide - that’s nearly 1 in 5 children who have no official record of their birth.
Why are so many children unregistered?
Around the world, millions of children live in poverty or on the streets, where families face barriers like:
Cost: Registration fees can be unaffordable.
Distance: Registration offices are far away or hard to reach.
Lack of awareness: Parents may not know the importance of birth registration or know how to complete the process.
Discrimination: Marginalised families are often excluded and face additional barriers to registration.
What happens to a child without a birth certificate?
Without a birth certificate, a child cannot prove their age or identity. This often means they are refused access to school and healthcare. It also leaves them far more vulnerable to child labour, trafficking, and early marriage. Later in life, they cannot get a passport, official ID, or secure employment, trapping them in a cycle of poverty and risk.
Pictured below: (L)"I felt sad living on the streets. The nights were cold but we had nowhere else to go. Now I have somewhere safe to sleep. I'm happy that I have a birth certificate and I can go to school like other children." - Tina, 8, Kenya.
(R) Now she is registered, 9-year-old Carmen in El Salvador has been able to enrol in school and dreams of becoming a doctor in the future.
How does Toybox help?
Toybox works with our local partners to:
Cover registration costs for families who can’t afford them.
Navigate complex paperwork and legal processes.
Raise awareness about why registration matters.
Advocate for systems that make registration easier for children in street situations.
How much does it cover to register a child’s birth?
Birth registration looks different in every country where Toybox works. Each has its own process, costs and requirements. For example, late registration fees and the documents needed can vary hugely. In some places, registration can be quick and even completed online, while in others it can take months and involve long journeys, additional documents and legal support.
On average, across the countries Toybox works in it costs £44 to register a child and provide them with a birth certificate. This covers fees, transport, and the support needed to navigate complex systems - removing barriers that families living in poverty simply cannot overcome alone.
Pictured below: (L) In Nepal, five-year-old Kiran’s birth certificate means his mother can now apply for a disability card, giving him access to vital therapeutic support - "I feel that now I can finally hope that the future is bright for all of us," she shares.
(R) Having their identity documents gives this mother and daughter in Delhi a legal identity - enabling them to access their rights, services and be protected by law.
How will my donation this Christmas make a difference?
Your gift will help a child get their birth certificate; giving them access to education and healthcare, protecting them from exploitation, and offering hope for a brighter future.
How does Toybox tackle the broader challenge of birth registration for vulnerable children?
Toybox works with local partners and governments in the countries we work in to help make birth registration fair and accessible for all children. We do this by raising awareness in communities, supporting improvements to registration systems and advocating for policies that protect vulnerable children. For example, in Guatemala, our partner CONACMI works closely with the national registry (RENAP) to identify unregistered children and complete their registration. This partnership is helping simplify the process and ensure more children are protected in the future.
Can a child on the streets keep their birth certificate safe?
When children receive their birth certificates, they’re taught about how important it is to keep them safe as, for many, it’s the first official document they’ve ever owned. To help with this, they’re also offered the option of storing their certificate securely at the local offices of the project they attend. Our partners also keep copies where possible, so if a certificate is lost or damaged, it’s easier to arrange a replacement - although this does sometimes come with a small cost depending on the country.
How can I help today?
You can make a donation to cover the cost of a birth certificate for a child who needs it. It’s one of the simplest, most powerful ways to change a life!
Give the gift of a birth certificate
See how birth registration is transforming children's lives
Have further questions? Get in touch! Email us at [email protected] or call Jenny on 01908 360080.
