Births, Deaths & Marriages - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Overview
By law:
- Births must be registered within28 days.
- Deaths must be registered within 14 days.
- Marriages must be registered within 14 days of the ceremony.
We operate from offices in Apia (Upolu) and Salelologa (Savai‘i), with services also available through Samoan Consulates overseas.
Births
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.
- Births must be registered within 28 days from the date of birth.
- Late registration require additional documentation and incur a late registration fee.
No, overseas births are registered in the country where the child was born.
- 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.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
Visit the nearest Samoan Consulate in your country to apply, pay the fees, and receive the certificate within the allocated processing timeframe.
Deaths
- 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.
- Deaths must be registered within 14 days from the date of death.
- Late registration may require additional verification.
Yes, but documentary proof from the overseas authority is required.
Visit the BDM offices in Apia (Upolu) or Salelologa (Savai'i) to request pay the applicable fee, and collect your certificate.
- 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
Submission of a Marriage Register from a licensed marriage officer (minister, registrar, or appointed marriage celebrant).
Marriages must be registered within 14 days of the ceremony.
Yes, provided that official documentation from the overseas marriage authority is submitted.
Apply in person at the BDM office in Apia or Salelologa, pay the fee, and collect the certificate.
- 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.
An Order of Dissolution issued by the Court must be presented to the BDM Office for official recording.
Fees
All fees are in SAMOAN TALA
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Birth, Deaths and Marriages Certificates$15.00
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Marriage Registration Certificate (Samoan Citizens)$50.00
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Marriage Registration Certificate (Foreigners)$100.00
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Charges to Registration Certificate apart from name change$25.00
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Changes to Marriage Certificate$10.00
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Registration of Overseas Adoption (per child)$100.00
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Registration of Local Adoption (per child)$25.00
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Replacement of a sheet of marriage Register Book$15.00
(altered, lost or destroyed in the custody of the Marriage)
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Late registration of birth$20.00
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Confirmation letter$50.00
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Statutory Declaration$55.00
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Any other permission or service$10.00
Payments
Cash payments only at BDM Offices (Apia and Salelologa).
- Cash payments at the Samoan Consulate in your country of residence.
- Note: The BDM Division does not accept online payments, bank transfers, or credit card payments.
Additional Notes
- Apia Office: Development Bank of Samoa Building, Ground Floor | Savalalo
- Savai'i Office: Shop #12 & #13 | Salelologa
Processing Times: Most certificates requested in Samoa are processed on the same day. Overseas requests may take longer depending on postal or diplomatic delivery times.