Perusrectifikaatio

Perusrectifikaatio is a term used in Finnish public administration to describe the rectification or correction of errors in the perusrekisteri, the basic register that contains core personal data used by public authorities. The concept covers procedures by which incorrect or outdated information in the register—such as names, addresses, dates of birth, or other demographic details—can be corrected to ensure accurate administrative processes and service delivery.

The process generally begins with a rectification request submitted to the authority responsible for the basic register. The applicant, or an authorized party, must provide evidence of the error and the correct information. The competent authority reviews the claim, may request additional documentation, and, if warranted, updates the data in the basic register. When changes are made, they can propagate to linked systems and services that rely on the register, improving accuracy across public administration.

Legal basis for perusrectifikaatio rests on Finnish data protection and public records laws, and on rights derived from the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). These provisions grant individuals the right to have inaccurate personal data corrected and require public authorities to respond to rectification requests in a timely manner. In practice, corrections within the perusrekisteri aim to reduce harm from errors, support legitimate decisions, and enhance the reliability of government services.

Limitations may include verification requirements, statutory retention rules, or the complexity of reconciling conflicting records. Historical data may be retained for auditing, even as current records are updated. Perusrectifikaatio is primarily discussed in the context of Finnish public administration and data governance rather than as a broad international concept.

See also: Basic register (perusrekisteri); Data protection; GDPR; Personal data; Public administration.