Immigration are to charge $53 to furnish information confirming Bermudian status from next month.

Chief Immigration Officer Dr. Martin Brewer said the Bermuda Status register helped parents confirm status of their children if they were born overseas.

But he said such inquiries generated a tremendous amount of work for his staff and it was now necessary to charge a fee.

He said there was no requirement for people to be on the register but it was kept to speed confirmation of status, otherwise requests would lead to a complex search requiring parents' birth and marriage certificates.

He said: "That would cost hundreds of dollars."

People wishing to getting a status confirmation letter can still get it free before the April 1 deadline.

Dr. Brewer said the change had not been publicised because it had only recently got approval in the Senate as it was part of the Government's Budget package.

He said the changes will be published in The Royal Gazette's official notices page soon.

He said: "There has been some confusion.

"We have had calls from people asking if they have to be on this register."

One parent wondered why such status confirmation letters were needed for her children when they already had passports.

Dr. Brewer said passports which showed people had Bermudian status would indicate that person was already on the register.

The register can be checked at the Immigration Department and at post offices.