This paper examines the validity of the own-children method (OCM) of fertility estimates derived
from the Iran 1986, 1996 and 2006 Censuses and the 2000 IDHS by a detailed investigation of mortality
assumptions, the presence of non-own children, age misreporting and undercount. ASFRS and TFRs are
estimated for Iran by such variables as place of residence, province, religion, and nationality for the period
1972-2006. The results obtained alternatively from two matching procedures (using relationship to head of
household and mothers’ line number) are investigated to see the accuracy of the fertility levels and trends.
The OCM estimates will also be compared with those obtained from other indirect methods. Despite some
shortcomings, the results suggest that most of the underlying assumptions of the OCM are still valid, and
this method is still a useful indirect method in estimating fertility for Iran and countries in transition.