civilrecords

Civil records are official records created and maintained by government civil registration authorities to document vital events and changes in civil status, including births, marriages, divorces, deaths, adoptions, and name changes. They provide legally recognized evidence of these events and underpin a country's civil registry system and vital statistics.

Common civil records include birth, marriage, and death certificates, divorce decrees, and adoption records. Many jurisdictions also record civil partnerships and changes of name. While religious or community registries have existed, civil registration is the authoritative system for most modern states and is typically organized at local, regional, or national levels.

Access to civil records is generally restricted to protect privacy. Individuals named in the records, immediate family, or legal representatives can request copies or extracts, usually for a fee and with stated purposes. Some records are sealed or restricted for minors or after a waiting period, and corrections processes exist for errors.

Modern civil registries are governed by data protection laws and international standards. Many are digitizing records, offering online requests and electronic certificates, and exchanging data for statistics while safeguarding privacy. International use is supported by standardized forms and cross-border recognition of vital records for citizenship and migration.