If over nine years of age, a child must consent in writing to his or her adoption. Children can be adopted if they are orphaned, abandoned, or disabled. Children with two living parents are sometimes placed in orphanages by families who claim not to have the economic wherewithal to support their offspring. The decision to accept such children rests chiefly with the orphanage director, and often depends whether space is available in the orphanage. Births are to be registered in 30 days, but often are not, especially in the countryside.
Late registration is legal.
Births are supposed to be registered with the local People's Committee. These are inevitably late registered. All abandoned children are supposed to have their births registered by the local People's Committee. The death certificate format is not standardized. Generally, any pre-printed form is acceptable, and any death certificate should be on such a form.