Hie.
The registry office is one of the most infuriating offices in Zim. The hassle is the very long queus so you have to be very early. I went to the registry office as early as 4am and guess what I was not the first there.It doesnt matter which town whether small or big, because all of the offices are serving the townfolk and the ruralfolk surrounding that city. Harare becomes especially busy because problems not solved in the regional offices are all brought to the capital city. The staff there are generally tired from morning up to the time they knock off at 1630. That means they are generally very slow. And at lunch time 1300 to 1400 you are unlikely to get much service. Also beware of young men loitering around the offices, because they will ask you if you need assistnce. And for sure, if you say yes you will avoid all hassles but you will have to folk out between US$150 and US$200. They usually know someone inside who can do all your paperwork for you. But you can just avoid it all if you just come early.Â
The good news is that if you are the early bird you can get all your papers done and the registry officer normally does all the writing and completion of the forms. You just have to provide him with reevant information. And remember take the hospital birth record, your identification cards, and some officers might just ask to see the child, so just take the little one along. But if the baby is still a few days you can just leave him home and tell the officer so. And both mother and father should be there! When all papers have been completed, you will be told when to colect and if you are lucky it might be on the same day... but rarely. Advice: Dont lose your temper because at times you may feel like doing so, beacause if you do you might be ignored till you go home:) Good luck