Children born to a Baha'i couple are regarded as Baha'is from the beginning of their lives, and their births should be registered by the Spiritual Assembly.
The birth of a child to a couple, one of whom is a Baha'i, should also be registered unless the non-Baha'i parent objects.
A Spiritual Assembly may accept the declaration of faith of a child of non-Baha'i parents, and register him as a Baha'i child, provided the parents give their consent.
In the cases of children whose parents become Baha'is, much depends upon the ages and reactions of the children concerned. They will require great love and understanding, and each case must be judged on its own merits. This applies to an added degree, of course, if only one of the parents has accepted the Faith, in which case the attitude of the other parent is an important factor; the aim of the Baha'is should be to foster family unity. The important thing is that the children, whether registered as Baha'is or not, should be made to feel welcome at Baha'i children's classes and other community gatherings.
It is within a Spiritual Assembly's discretion to request Baha'i children to undertake work of which they are capable in service to the Faith, such as service on suitable committees.
- The Universal House of Justice (From a letter dated 19 July 1982 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United Kingdom; ‘Messages from the Universal House of Justice, 1963-1986’)
