Malaysians do not need to replace their old birth certificates, including paper documents with handwritten details, as they remain legally valid, National Registration Department (NRD) director-general Datuk Badrul Hisham Alias has clarified.
He said those who wish to obtain a birth certificate in the newer format could apply for an extract at any NRD office for a fee of RM5.
“Birth certificates have never become invalid, whether they belong to the old or new generation,” he said at a press conference following the Registration Literacy Programme held in conjunction with the 78th National Registration Day celebrations in Kelantan on Monday.
Badrul Hisham stressed that birth certificates issued in the past remained valid, including older documents printed on paper with handwritten information.
However, those who prefer the updated format may request a new extract, with the application process taking less than five minutes.
He said the facility allowed the public to obtain documents in the current format without worrying that their older birth certificates were no longer recognised.
Badrul Hisham added that birth registration was essential to ensuring every individual had a legally recognised identity, enabling them to access their rights and various public services as Malaysian citizens.
He also stressed the importance of birth registration and identity documents to prevent individuals from being left out of the country’s official documentation system.
The NRD, he said, continued to reach out to communities, including the Orang Asli in remote areas, through outreach programmes and cooperation with relevant agencies to ensure they had access to registration and documentation services.
