Perekonnaregister

Perekonnaregister is the Estonian surname register maintained by the National Institute of Statistics (Statistikaamet). The register was established in the aftermath of Estonia’s regained independence in 1991 to provide a centralized database of personally identifying information that is necessary for various administrative tasks. It contains data on individuals’ birth names, permanently adopted surnames, and any legally registered name changes. The main function of the register is to support civil, tax, healthcare, and educational institutions in verifying identities and linking records across state systems.

The register is updated continuously as births, deaths, marriages, divorces, and official name changes are recorded. Data entries are legally protected under Estonian privacy and data protection legislation, with access limited to authorized public authorities and certain private entities for lawful purposes. In practice, the register is used to streamline passport issuance, vehicle registration, voting lists, and welfare benefits administration, thereby reducing redundant paperwork and preventing identity fraud.

Critics have raised concerns about the safety of personal data, especially in light of high-profile data breaches in other countries. The Estonian government has implemented robust cybersecurity measures and regular audits to mitigate such risks. Additionally, the register is subject to European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) safeguards, allowing individuals to request corrections, updates, or deletion of erroneous entries.

Overall, the perekonnaregister is regarded as a key component of Estonia’s digital state infrastructure, enabling efficient public service delivery while balancing the need for data privacy. Its sophisticated integration with other national databases has positioned Estonia as a global leader in e-government solutions.