Birth Registration Abroad

Tanzanian citizens can register births that occur abroad through their nearest embassy or high commission. The registration is processed through the Registration, Insolvency and Trusteeship Agency (RITA) in Tanzania.

About RITA Registration

The Registration, Insolvency and Trusteeship Agency (RITA) is the Tanzanian government agency responsible for all civil registrations, including births, deaths, and marriages. When a Tanzanian citizen has a child born abroad, the birth should be registered with RITA through the nearest embassy.

A Tanzanian birth certificate issued by RITA is essential for:

  • Establishing the child's Tanzanian citizenship
  • Applying for a Tanzanian passport
  • Enrolling in Tanzanian schools
  • Inheritance and legal proceedings in Tanzania

Required Documents

  • Hospital-issued birth certificate from the country of birth (original and certified copy)
  • Passport copies of both parents (at least one must be a Tanzanian citizen)
  • Marriage certificate of parents (if applicable)
  • Completed birth registration form (available at the embassy)
  • Two passport-size photographs of the child
  • Registration fee
  • Proof of parents' Tanzanian citizenship (birth certificate, national ID)

Important: Tanzania does not allow dual citizenship. A child born abroad to a Tanzanian parent may need to choose citizenship when they reach adulthood, depending on the laws of the country of birth.

Process & Timeline

  1. Visit embassy: Bring all required documents to your nearest embassy
  2. Complete forms: Fill in the registration form and pay the fee
  3. Embassy forwarding: The embassy forwards your application to RITA in Dar es Salaam
  4. RITA processing: RITA processes the registration and issues a Tanzanian birth certificate
  5. Collection: Certificate is returned to the embassy for collection (8-12 weeks total)

Late Registration

Births can be registered at any time, though late registration (more than 90 days after birth) may require additional documentation and a statutory declaration explaining the delay.

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