E-Link enables easier issuance of birth certificates

Parents seeking a birth certificate for their newborn child no longer need to shuttle between the Ministry of Health and the Director-General of Civil Status (ROP) for this key document thanks to an e-link now connecting the two organisations.

It follows an agreement reached by the Health Ministry with the ROP to streamline procedures for issuing birth certificates. By linking the systems of the two organisations, parents can directly approach the Directorate General of Civil Status with their request for birth certificates.

An official source explained: “This e-linkage simplifies the birth certification process. Earlier, it was necessary for parents to obtain a letter from the hospital where the child was born, and submitted to the Directorate General of Civil Status. With this new linkage, one of the parents will automatically receive an SMS at the registered phone number specifying the date for the collection of the birth certificate.”

The e-linkage has been warmly welcomed by citizens and residents alike. Saud al Salmi, who lives and works in Muscat, said: “This measure will come as a big relief to parents who no longer have to worry about the hassles of obtaining a birth certificate for their newborn. The father is expected to stay close to the mother of his newborn child, and will not be able to spare any time to shuttle between the hospital and the ROP.

Besides, the post-delivery phase can be an anxious time for the couple, so this gesture provides a great deal of convenience and comfort.”

Separately, the ROP has revised the fees for issuing birth certificates. As per a new decision issued yesterday, the fee for new birth certificates is RO 2, while death certificates will be issued free of charge.

However, a fee of RO 1 is payable for a replacement copy of a death certificate. A replacement copy of a birth certificate will now cost RO 5 compared with the earlier fee of RO 1. The voluntary projects for the fifth edition of Sultan Qaboos Award for Voluntary Work can be submitted between May 1 and August 30, according to the main awards committee.

The award is granted to the most ‘inspiring projects’ as well as the ‘most effective’ ones.

Projects should be registered on the website of the Ministry of Social Development (www. mosd.gov.om/HMV) during this period.

Civil associations, individuals as well as social and health committees headed by Shaikhs in Wilayats can apply for the awards in different categories: business, environment, information technology, sports, heritage, civil defence, society, health, the disabled, childhood and youth, media, arts and culture, charity, education and women’s affairs.

Associations should be registered in the Sultanate. They should provide a snapshot of their contribution in the field of social work and their works should be consistent with the social, economic and cultural development programmes and plans implemented by the government.

Individual participants must be Omani and activists in a centre or society engaged in social service. Their works should meet the ministry’s social and economic criteria.

They should submit the projects along with a written declaration of their ownership of the project. The award was first launched in 2011 to recognise voluntary works that have made an impact on society.