A man born in the steppe receives his first ID in 25 years in Kazakhstan

A resident of Kazakhstan’s Zhambyl region petitioned a court to confirm his birth and obtain proper identification documents. It was revealed that he was born in the middle of the steppe to a family of shepherds. Since his parents lived in a remote area, they never registered his birth with health facilities or the civil registry, according to Kazakhstan’s Supreme Court.

In his petition, the man stated that he was born at home on Feb. 6, 1998, to a family of shepherds. His mother never sought medical support or a birth certificate from local authorities, though he did receive all necessary vaccinations while attending school.

As an adult, he applied for an ID at a Public Service Center but was denied due to the lack of a birth certificate. He was advised to take his case to court.

After reviewing a medical assessment indicating his biological age to be around 24 to 25 years, along with his medical records, school report, and a letter from the village administration, the court determined that he was indeed born in the steppe. Witnesses to his birth confirmed the details.

“Based on reliable evidence, the court has acknowledged the plaintiff’s birth to enable him to fully participate in socio-economic life,” authorities said in a statement.

This decision has not yet come into effect.

Earlier this year, a similar legal case concluded in Taraz. A man spent three years proving that he was a Kazakhstani citizen and not a Russian national. Although he hasn’t proved that the error was caused by the police department, he received $615 as compensation for moral damages from the agency.