FOR COUNTRIES OF THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA
STEP ONE
First, contact the civil registry office in the municipality where the child was initially registered - that is, the municipality where the maternity hospital in which the mother gave birth is located.
Do not worry if you did not personally register the child or know nothing about the registration - the hospital completed it on your behalf. You do not need to know the exact date of birth; knowing the year and the mother’s name is sufficient.
If the record cannot be found in the electronic system, contact the registrar and explain that you are requesting the documents because of concerns that a baby may have gone missing. Ask them to check the official registers, as a record may exist there even if it is not available in the electronic system.
01
The child’s birth certificate
02
A copy of the birth registration submitted by the hospital to the registrar
03
The child’s death certificate
04
A copy of the death confirmation submitted by the hospital to the registrar
One copy should remain with the civil registry office, while the other should be certified and returned to you as proof that the request was submitted. If a document does not exist, request an official written response.
STEP ONE
First, contact the civil registry office in the municipality where the child was initially registered - that is, the municipality where the maternity hospital in which the mother gave birth is located.
Do not worry if you did not personally register the child or know nothing about the registration - the hospital completed it on your behalf. You do not need to know the exact date of birth; knowing the year and the mother’s name is sufficient.
If the record cannot be found in the electronic system, contact the registrar and explain that you are requesting the documents because of concerns that a baby may have gone missing. Ask them to check the official registers, as a record may exist there even if it is not available in the electronic system.
01
The child’s birth certificate
02
A copy of the birth registration submitted by the hospital to the registrar
03
The child’s death certificate
04
A copy of the death confirmation submitted by the hospital to the registrar
One copy should remain with the civil registry office, while the other should be certified and returned to you as proof that the request was submitted. If a document does not exist, request an official written response.
STEP TWO
The birth registration and death confirmation are old documents and have most likely been placed in the archives for safekeeping. Submit a written request for these four documents in two copies - have one copy certified and returned to you as proof of submission, while the other remains with the civil registry office.
The deadline for providing the documents is 15 days. No fee is payable. If a document exists, it should be provided to you. If it cannot be found, request an official written response confirming that the document was not found.
Once you receive the documents, check whether the dates, times, and other details match. Inaccurate or inconsistent information may further support your concerns.
The death confirmation will state a diagnosis. Ask a doctor or another qualified medical professional to interpret it for you.
In one case, the parents were told that the baby had not taken a breath, while the death confirmation listed a brain tumour - even though no autopsy had been performed. Such inconsistencies require further investigation.
STEP TWO
The birth registration and death confirmation are old documents and have most likely been placed in the archives for safekeeping. Submit a written request for these four documents in two copies - have one copy certified and returned to you as proof of submission, while the other remains with the civil registry office.
Once you receive the documents, check whether the dates, times, and other details match. Inaccurate or inconsistent information may further support your concerns.
The deadline for providing the documents is 15 days. No fee is payable. If a document exists, it should be provided to you. If it cannot be found, request an official written response confirming that the document was not found.
The death confirmation will state a diagnosis. Ask a doctor or another qualified medical professional to interpret it for you.
In one case, the parents were told that the baby had not taken a breath, while the death confirmation listed a brain tumour - even though no autopsy had been performed. Such inconsistencies require further investigation.
Insist on receiving a written response.
STEP THREE
Once you have completed the process at the civil registry office, and your concerns remain, contact the hospital where the mother gave birth. Submit a written request in two copies to the hospital’s administrative office and request the documentation needed to determine whether the baby died or was stillborn.
1.
Mother’s and newborn’s discharge summaries
2.
Mother’s and newborn’s medical records
3.
Mother’s and newborn’s temperature charts
4.
A copy of the admission register
5.
Mother’s admission record
6.
Child’s birth registration
7.
A copy of the delivery register
8.
Referral of the baby and mother to another medical institution
9.
Permit for the transfer of the deceased
10
Newborn’s medical record
11.
Baby’s death confirmation
12
Request for the baby’s autopsy
13.
Record of the baby’s autopsy
14.
Baby’s autopsy report
15.
Baby’s identification record
16.
Copies of all relevant registers
Request that the documents be delivered to your home address. Once you receive them, ask a doctor or another trusted medical professional to review them. Even a few documents may be enough to identify inconsistencies and determine whether the investigation should continue.
STEP FOUR
If the documents you have collected contain inconsistencies or your concerns continue to grow, continue your search through the city archives, cemetery records, and the competent public prosecutor’s office.
Contact the City Archives
Submit another written request in two copies and request the complete medical documentation. If you are informed that it is unavailable, ask them to confirm in writing whether all documentation from that year is missing or only yours.
Check the Cemetery Records
Contact the city cemetery, as well as any other cemeteries in the area. Submit a written request in two copies asking whether the baby was buried and, if so, when and where. Request that the records for the entire year be checked.
File a Criminal Complaint
If the documents contain inaccuracies, alterations, or other inconsistencies, contact the competent public prosecutor’s office. Title your complaint “Criminal Complaint Against an Unknown Person on Suspicion of the Abduction of a Baby.” Describe the case in your own words and attach copies of all collected documentation.
Upload the scanned documentation to the website after registering and submitting your case. Keep all original documents, copies of requests, and written responses. Follow further updates and, whenever possible, assist other families beginning the same search.
FOR THE REST OF THE WORLD
Until we publish specific guidance for each country, please follow these general instructions.
Collect the Documentation
Try to obtain all available documentation. Request it from the institution where the child was born and from the institution where the child went missing. If these are two different institutions, submit a separate request to each one.
Check Other Records
Some of the documentation is likely to be held in the local archives where the child was first registered. If the child was declared deceased, also obtain documentation from the institution or service responsible for the burial.
Compare All Information
Compare the diagnoses, dates, reference numbers, and all other information across the documents. Pay particular attention to any inconsistencies or irregularities.
Upload the Documents to the Website
After registering, upload scanned copies of the documents to the designated section of this website. Keep all original documents, copies of your requests, and written responses.
Document every step and request everything in writing.
