Parents in Hubei province who have a baby born outside a hospital will need proof of DNA testing to get a birth certificate for their child.

Li Xiangdong, an official from the Hubei Provincial Health and Family Planning Commission, told the Wuhan Evening News that parents who apply for a birth certificate for a baby born on a bullet train, long-distance bus and at home have to provide a DNA parental-testing certificate issued by an authorized institution.

The new regulation will take effect on Jan 1, he said.

A birth certificate is necessary to obtain household registration and citizenship.