Births
1. What are the requirements to register a birth in Samoa?
To register a birth, you must provide:
Hospital Births: An official Birth Confirmation issued by the hospital or health facility.
Home Births: A Birth Confirmation from the village representative (e.g., pulenu‘u) or a Baptism Certificate from a church.
Parents’ Presence: Both parents should be present at the BDM office to complete the registration. If one parent is absent, a signed consent letter is required.
2. How long do I have to register my child after birth?
Births must be registered within 28 days from the date of birth.
Late registration require additional documentation and incur a late registration fee.
3. Can births that occured overseas be registered in Samoa?
No, overseas births are registered in the country where the child was born.
4. What is the process for legal adoption registration?
Step 1: Biological parents must pre-register the child at the BDM Office.
Step 2: Engage a lawyer to process the adoption application in court.
Step 3: Obtain a Court Order for Adoption.
Step 4: Adoptive parents must post-register the adoption at the BDM Office to update the official birth record.
5. Can a child born overseas be adopted into Samoa?
Yes, but the adoption must comply with both Samoan adoption laws and the laws of the child’s country of birth. Court orders are required.
6. What is the process for a name change?
Submit a written request for a change of first name or surname at the BDM Office.
The BDM Office will verify and assess the request. Approval or rejection will be communicated based on legal requirements.
7. How do I obtain a birth certificate if I am in Samoa?
Visit our offices in Apia (Upolu) or Salelologa (Savai‘i) to request.
- Provide the correct birth details (Full Name, Birth Date)
- If applying for someone else, provide proof of relationship or authorization and a valid ID’s (Passport, Driver’s Licenses).
Pay the required fee, and collect your certificate. Same-day processing is usually available.
8. How do I obtain a birth certificate if I am overseas?
Visit the nearest Samoan Consulate in your country to apply, pay the fees, and receive the certificate within the allocated processing timeframe.
Deaths
1. What are the requirements to register a death in Samoa?
Hospital Deaths: A Cause of Death certificate issued by the hospital or health facility.
Non-Hospital Deaths: Written confirmation from a church minister or funeral parlour.
2. How long do I have to register a death?
Deaths must be registered within 14 days from the date of death.
Late registration may require additional verification.
3. Can deaths that occurred overseas be registered in Samoa?
Yes, but documentary proof from the overseas authority is required.
4. How do I obtain a death certificate if I am in Samoa?
Visit the BDM offices in Apia (Upolu) or Salelologa (Savai’i) to request pay the applicable fee, and collect your certificate.
5. How do I obtain a death certificate if I am overseas?
Option 1: Send a close family member in Samoa to apply for you.
Option 2: Apply through the nearest Samoan Consulate, pay the required fee, and receive the certificate after processing.
Marriages
1. What are the requirements to register a marriage in Samoa?
Submission of a Marriage Register from a licensed marriage officer (minister, registrar, or appointed marriage celebrant).
2. How long do I have to register a marraige?
Marriages must be registered within 14 days of the ceremony.
3. Can overseas marriages be registered in Samoa?
Yes, provided that official documentation from the overseas marriage authority is submitted.
4. How do I obtain a marriage certificate if I am in Samoa?
Apply in person at the BDM office in Apia or Salelologa, pay the fee, and collect the certificate.
5. How do I obtain a marriage certificate if I am overseas?
Option 1: Request a family member in Samoa to apply for you pay fees and issue certificate.
Option 2: Apply through the nearest Samoan Consulate and receive the certificate after processing.
6. What is required to register the dissolution of a marriage?
An Order of Dissolution issued by the Court must be presented to the BDM Office for official recording.