Registering a birth in Czechia
Getting a Czech birth certificate for a child born here, and the paperwork that has to follow it.
What this actually is
A birth in Czechia is registered by the registry office (matrika) covering the hospital where the child was born. The hospital sends the birth notification; the parents supply the documents and agree the child's name. The registry office then issues the birth certificate (rodný list), which every later step depends on.
Who it applies to
Parents of a child born in Czechia, whatever their nationality.
When it's required
Documents are usually handed over within days of the birth; the certificate then follows by post or collection.
Step by step
- 1
Agree the child's name in writing
Parents sign a declaration of the child's name and surname. Czech naming rules can affect the surname form, so raise any concern before signing.
- 2
Hand your documents to the registry office
Usually via the maternity hospital, which passes the birth notification on.
- 3
Collect the rodný list
The birth certificate is the document every other office will ask for.
- 4
Register the birth with your own embassy if you need home-country documents
This is separate from the Czech registration and is not done for you.
- 5
Arrange the child's health insurance
A child of a publicly insured parent is normally covered from birth; a child of parents who are not publicly insured needs commercial cover arranged quickly.
- 6
Sort out the child's residence status
See the separate procedure on registering a child's residence.
Documents to bring
- Parents' identity or travel documents
- Residence documents, if you hold them
- Marriage certificate, if married
- Declaration of paternity, if the parents are not marriedCan be made before or after the birth at a registry office.
- Foreign documents with an official Czech translationSome also need an apostille or superlegalisation; the registry office will say which.
Who decides
Registry office (matriční úřad) of the district where the child was born
Worth knowing
- The child is assigned a birth number (rodné číslo) as part of the registration.
- If your documents are in a foreign language, the translation requirement is the most common cause of delay — ask the registry office what exactly they need before you go.
Related
Official information
- Ministry of the Interior of the Czech RepublicOfficial source
- Czech public administration portal (gov.cz)Official source
Last checked: 4 September 2026
Requirements differ between registry offices and depend on your family situation. Confirm your case with the office covering the hospital.