Having a birth certificate is crucial for many things but for those who were never registered at birth, it can make some tasks impossible.

The Rotary Club of Port Macquarie is holding a registration ‘sign on’ day to ensure everyone in the community has a birth certificate.

The event, organised by the club’s youth director, Gil Padarin-Innes, will be at Port Macquarie Public School on September 26 and is aimed at those children who will enrol for school in 2019.

“A while ago I was reading an article about a few men who were in jail because they were caught driving without a licence and it turned out they couldn’t get one because they didn’t have a birth certificate,” Mrs Padarin-Innes said.

“Then I thought about it for a while and I realised that it would be extremely difficult if you didn’t have a birth certificate to prove your identity.

“For example, you can’t play representative sport without being able to prove who you are. You can’t get a passport and travel overseas, nor could you get a tax file number and get a job without a birth certificate. And before long, I had a long list of things that would not be possible without one.”

While most babies are registered at birth, Mrs Padarin-Innes said for some, it can be a complicated process to navigate.

“It sounds simple enough just get a birth certificate but it may not be as simple as that for some people,” she said.

“Particularly for people who have English as a second language, those who have trouble navigating government departments or money issues, but that is something we as a Rotary Club can to help with.

“On the day we need people to bring their 100 points of identification and we will be on hand to walk them through the process so that when they leave we will post their completed documents and then they will get sent their certificate.”

She said she hoped that it was a success so that people would be able to do the things they wanted.

“Port Macquarie Public School has really jumped on board and their principal is really keen for this day to be a success.

"For everyone who does have a birth certificate I think we take it for granted. I can only imagine how debilitating it would be for someone without one.

“So for those without one please consider coming along and letting us help you.”

If you are looking at getting a child under 18 registered please bring a driver’s licence or RTA identification card, Medicare or Centrelink card and a credit or debit card. 

To participate in the sign-on day, head to Port Macquarie Public School between 10am-2pm on Wednesday September 26.