Haiti to Give Every Child a Legal Identity, Says National ID Chief

Port-au-Prince, Haiti — December 11, 2025
In a bold move to close the identity gap, Haiti’s National Identification Office (ONI) has announced a nationwide initiative to provide every child with a legal identity, according to ONI Director-General Reynold Guerrier

Speaking to local media on Monday, Guerrier confirmed that the agency is launching a large-scale civil registration drive aimed at ensuring that no child in Haiti remains undocumented. The announcement comes as part of a broader effort to modernize the country’s identity systems and improve access to basic rights and services.

Currently, an estimated 6.3 million Haitians hold a national identification card — a figure that represents just over half of the population. Millions more, especially children, remain invisible in the eyes of the state, lacking birth certificates or any form of legal identification.

“Every child deserves to be recognized,” Guerrier said. “Without an identity, they are denied access to education, healthcare, and protection. This initiative is about dignity, inclusion, and the future of our nation.”

The ONI’s plan is expected to involve mobile registration units, partnerships with local municipalities, and collaboration with schools and health centers to reach children in remote and underserved communities. While full details of the rollout have not yet been released, officials say the program will prioritize the most vulnerable populations, including children in rural areas and informal settlements.

Legal identity is a foundational right under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically Target 16.9, which calls for universal birth registration by 2030. Haiti, which has long struggled with weak civil registry systems, is now taking steps toward meeting that goal — though significant logistical and political challenges remain.

The ONI has not yet announced a timeline or budget for the initiative, but Guerrier emphasized that the agency is committed to working with international partners and civil society organizations to ensure its success.

For many Haitians, the promise of a birth certificate is more than just a piece of paper — it’s a passport to citizenship, opportunity, and a future.