In many countries, vital events (eg. births, deaths, and marriages) are required by law to be formally recorded in registers maintained by government officials.

United Kingdom

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In the United Kingdom, mandatory civil registration of births, marriages, and deaths was first introduced in 1837 for England and Wales. Subsequent legislation introduced similar systems in Ireland (which was then part of the United Kingdom), and Scotland.

The administration of individual registration districts is the responsibility of the relevant local authority. There is also a national body for each jurisdiction. The local offices are generally responsible both for maintaining the original registers and for providing copies to the national body for central retention.

England and Wales

Births in England and Wales must be registered within 42 days, whilst deaths must be registered within 5 days unless an inquest is called.

Marriages are registered at the time of the ceremony by either the officiating minister or an authorised person.

The official registers are not directly accessible by the general public. Instead, indexes are made available which can be used to find the relevant registry entry and then request a certified copy of the details.

Scotland

Civil registration came into force in Scotland on January 1, 1855. A significant difference from the English system is the greater detail required for a registration. This means that if a certified copy of an entry is requested, it will contain much more information.

See also

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• Vital record

External links

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United Kingdom

• General Register Office (England and Wales)
• General Register Office for Scotland
• General Register Office Northern Ireland

Republic of Ireland

• General Register Office
• Births Deaths and Marriages In Ireland

Law | Government | Genealogy | Vital statistics

Civilregistrering | Standesamt | état civil | Registro civil