e-Population

Registrar General’s Department is responsible for the registration of birth, deaths and marriage. The entry records are maintained manually and are not readily accessible to other government agencies, thus resulting in a duplication of effort, time and costs. e-population is introduced to achieve objectives of issuing a unique personal identification Number (PIN) at birth for all citizens, building a consolidated set of basic information of every citizen of Sri Lanka, creating an efficient and reliable life events registration system, increasing the information sharing with government institutions using the population Register, providing more extensive analytical capability in relation to demographics and health statistics and increasing in coverage of recording life events. While e- population system fulfilling these objectives it gives the benefits to ensure accuracy of data from parent’s confirmation, perform searching and issuance of certificate copies from any Divisional Secretary Office, reduced need of translations, usable even in foreign countries, maintain current information of citizens, share information of citizens between the institutions.

e-Land

Issues related to Land ownership has been longstanding barrier for utilization of Land as a tool for generating capital. Delays in this search due to difficulties to access registers lengthy searches and lack of space to work in land Registries has been an obstacle for the program. Hence  the objectives of e Land Register is to provide a solution to the above issues and to ensure convenient access to land registers ,registration information, facilitate development of pedigree information while the safety of documents and providing a speedy and more convenient and economical service to General Public and other government organizations, Elevating the position of Sri Lanka in the doing business indicator by improving access to land registration information is also an important objective of this program.

e-BMD

Issuing certified copies of Birth, Death and Marriage entries to the public is one of the main function of registrar General’s Department and   these copies are issued upon the request of public. However  the manual searching is hard when the essential particulars are not know by the applicant such as exact Number, Date or even the period of the event under goes. To avoid this time consuming searches the e-BMD project is introduced. Main objectives of this program is maintain database, issuing of certificate through the system and sharing information of registered birth, death and marriages with other government agencies. Other than that the program benefited to develop an information database, conduct speedy searches, speedy issue of certified copies and decentralize issuing certified copies by installing database in Divisional Level offices.

e-Title

Issues related to Land ownership has been longstanding barriers for utilization of Land while difficulties of manual access of registers have been an obstacle. Title registration to Sri Lanka is introduced, to provide stronger and clear land ownership with the view of improving land utilization and development and to avoid unnecessary dispute due to land ownership or boundaries. Computer based Land information System is supporting better land management and issue of Government ensured title certificate. Hence convenient, easy speedy and efficient transaction can be produced to the public.

Registration of a Death Occurred at Home

• Shall be informed to the Grama Niladhari within 05 days of the death occurred.
• A report prepared as per Form B24 relevant to each death to be forwarded to relevant Births and Deaths Registrar by the Grama Niladhari.
• Death is registered by the Births and Deaths Registrar who is relevant to the place which the death occurred.
• Form CR02 for the registration of deaths can be obtained by the Registrar. 
• The persons eligible for inform a death
  • The next of kin who was present at the time of death
  • The next of kin who wasgiven attendance care at last at the time of sick
  • When there is no such relation existed
    • A relation of the deceased person who is resided within the registrar division of which the deceased person resided.
  • When there is no such relation existed
    • A person who was present there at the moment of death
    • The resident of the building who was present at the time of death
  • When there is no such person existed mentioned above
    • The person who is engaged in burial, cremate the dead body or doing funeral arrangement in an other manner.
• The death can be registered free of charge within 03 days of the death occurred.
  • There is an ability to register the death after 03 months elapsed from the death and see the details on registration of past deaths for further information.
  • A death certificate is issued free of charge to the informer.
    

** When you received the death certificate, please be kind enough to acknowledge it after going through and checking it.

(Provisions of the Births and Deaths Registration Ordinance No.17 of 1951 is applicable)

Registration of a death occurred in a hospital (Public or Private)

• If the death was occurred in a hospital, it should be informed to the Births and Deaths Registrar relevant to that hospital to register the death.
• The declaration required to inform the death (Registration CR02 Form) should be obtained from the Births and Deaths Registrar.
• Eligible persons to inform for registration of the death
  • A relation of the deceased person
  • A person who was at the place in which the death occurred
  • Medical Officer In Charge of the hospital
• Documents to be submitted
  • Duly filled Registration CR02 Form
  • The report issued by the hospital to confirm the death
• A death can be registered free of charge within the period of 03 months

** When you received the death certificate, please be kind enough to acknowledge it after going through and checking it.

(Provisions of the Births and Deaths Registration Ordinance No.17 of 1951 is applicable)

Registration of a death occurred in a registered estate

• The death should be informed by the following eligible persons to the Superintendent of the estate within 24 hours of the death occurred
• Eligible persons to inform
  • A relation of the deceased person
  • A person who was at the place in which the death occurred
  • The resident of the building in which the death occurred
  • The person who is carrying out the funeral arrangement

• The documents to be forwarded
  • Medical reports of the deceased person if available
  • Clinical reports of the deceased persons if available
  • The death report is recorded by the Superintendant of the estate and forwarded to the Additional District Registrar of the Divisional Secretariat through the District Medical Officer with the certified death report of the superintendant of the estate (Registration CR02 Form) by the Superintendant of the estate.
  • After registration of the death by the Additional District Registrar ,the death certificate is forwarded to the relevant superintendant of the estate.
  • The applicant can obtain death certificate free of charge from the office of the superintendant of the estate.

Registration of a death of a Sri Lankan occurred in abroad in a Foreign Country

• The death of a Sri Lankan or dual citizen at his death, can be registered in a foreign country
• The death is registered by the Sri Lankan Embassy/ High Commissioner office of the country which the death occurred.
• The declaration required to inform the death can be obtained from the Sri Lankan Ambassador/ High Commissioner office
• Eligible persons to inform the death for the registration
  • A relation of the deceased person
  • A person who was at the place in which the death occurred
  • The resident of the building in which the death occurred
• Documents to be forwarded( Should be forwarded the set of original copies and photocopied copies)
  • Required documents to proof as a citizen of Sri Lanka or a dual citizen (Visa /certificate on dual citizenship)
  • Passport of the deceased person (valid as at the occasion of death)
  • Death certificate issued by the same country
  • Hospital record which the cause of death mentioned
  • Certified copy of the birth certificate of the deceased person
  • A document to proof the relationship of the declarant (Birth or marriage certificate as required)
• The fees prescribed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as government charges should be paid by the valid currency of the relevant country.

Registration of the death of a person who was deceased in a foreign country, in Sri Lanka

• If unable to register the death within the period of one year by paying government fees to the Embassy/ High Commissioner office of the relevant country , for registration as a past death after elapse of one year, the following documents can be submitted to the Embassy/ High Commissioner office of the country which the death occurred. It shall be forwarded to the central record room at Maligawatta by the relevant embassy for approval.
• As such the death has not been registered by the Embassy/ High Commissioner office situated in a foreign country , the death can be registered by submitting documents to the central record room at Maligawatta.
• The declaration required to inform the death shall be obtained from the Consular division of the central record room at Maligawatta.
• The deceased person should be a Sri Lankan or a holder of dual citizenship.
• If the spouse, mother , father ,sibling ,child or any of them of the deceased person are not available, the party which is enthusiastic on that matter can be presented as the declarant for the registration of the death.
• Documents to be forwarded( Should be forwarded the set of original copies and photocopied copies)
  • Duly filled declaration
  • Foreign death certificate
  • If the cause of death was not mentioned in the death certificate, the report which was the cause of death mentioned.
  • Birth certificate of the deceased person
  • Passport of the deceased person
  • If the dead body has brought to this country, the cargo receipt
  • A document to proof the relationship of the declarant( birth certificate ,marriage certificate as required)
  • If the funeral take place in Sri Lanka, the transport bills
  • The letter issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (If the funeral take place in Sri Lanka)
  • Photocopied copy of the National Identity Card of the declarant
  • An envelope of 9x4 size with the address of the declarant and prescribed stamps fixed.
  • The receipt which was obtained from the Consular division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by paying Rs.8180/- as registration fees.
  • Translations of the documents which are in other languages except Sihala, English and Tamil languages.

          Should be forwarded

• The required information can be obtained from the Deputy Registrar General of the Central Record Room of the Registrar General’s Department . Telephone No.: +94 112 329 773 or +94 112 433 075/0718255066

Registration of a past death

• Such death can be registered when it was not registered within the period of three months of the death occurred.
• The declaration relevant to the death should be handed over within the period not more than 25 years from the death occurred.(except a sudden death)
• The declaration should be forwarded to the Additional District Registrar of the relevant Divisional Secretariat relevant to the place of death.
• Persons who can be presented for the declaration
  • The next of kin who was presented at the time of death or given attendant care when he was at sick at the last moment.
  • Others who is enthusiastic on that matter.
• The fees for the declaration is Rs.60.00

Alternation of the information included in a death register

• Declaration shall be forwarded to the Additional District Registrar of the Divisional Secretariat relevant to the place which the death occurred.
• Declaration shall be forwarded by one of the persons mentioned below.
  • The person who was provided the information for registration of the incident
  • The confidential person who is known the truth on the matter.
• All the information except the date of registration in a death register ,can be alternated.
• Fees for the declaration is Rs.60.00
• Written evidence for proofing the bona fides of the request made from the declaration shall be forwarded with the declaration.

Registration of deaths of Missing persons/Issuing Certificates of disappearing

As sufficient evidences  are not available to confirm the disappearing of some persons as a death, or  due to the relations are dislike to register a death certificate for those persons , as a result of that,  the relation of them have to face various problems  due to un availability of any registered legal document regarding  the persons who are disappeared.

Provisions has been provided by the following Acts, regarding the issuing of death certificate or a certificate as disappeared for such persons.

• Registration of Deaths (Temporary Provisions) Act No.19 of 2010
• Registration of Deaths Temporary Provisions) ( (Amendment )  Act No.16 of 2016

Request can be made based on the information revealed by the Commission of Registration  and Investigation of deaths of disappeared persons or special president council or the office on disappeared persons ,who were reported as  disappeared as a result of the impacts occurred in Northern  and Eastern  provinces or consequence to the same conflicts or political unrest or civil riots or disappearing make by force or disappearance of the members of tri forces or police who were at the operation   and the persons who were disappeared due to natural disasters or calamity .

Certificate of disappearance should be applied by a relation of a disappeared person.

 N. B - According to the definition of Section 14 of the Act, “ The relation” is,

• The spouse
• Children including adopted children, children of unmarried parents or step - children
• Parents, step- mother, step-father, the person who was  taken the child for adoption.
• Full or half brothers or sisters  or adopted brothers or sisters
• Father-in-law, mother-in-law, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law,sons-in-law, daughters –in-law,
• Grand sons,grand daughters and grand mothers and grand fathers

Method of applying

Application should be made for the registration of  persons who has been elapsed one year from disappearance, “Certificate of  disappearance“ (COA) or certificate of Death, to the District Registrar of the area of which the place of disappeared person resided at last or the area of his permanent residence.

Additional documents to be forwarded with the application (Section 8 b of the Act)

• Affidavit (Annexure 02)
• Grama Niladhari Report
• Other evidences to proof the request
• Certified copies of the determination of the Commissions

Obtaining of certified copies of a death certificate

• The copies of the death certificate shall be obtained from the Divisional Secretariat belonging to the place of death.If the relevant certificate is included in the data system, a certified copy therein can be obtained from any Divisional Secretariat nearby you as well.Copies of certificates from 01.01.1960 to 01. 01. 2020 can be obtained from the system. ( You can confirm whether it is in the data system by checking from your nearby Divisional Secretariat.)
• The required application can be obtained from the district registrar’s division of any Divisional Secretariat or the web-site of this Department.
• Fees Charged
  • When the number, and the date registered of the death certificate is known – fees for one copy : Rs.120.00.
  • When the number and the date registered of the death certificate is not known (As checking of documents not more than two years is required ) - fees for one copy : Rs.250.00.
• Copies of certificates can be applied by making relevant payments to the Divisional Secretariat or forwarding the bank slip which is received by the Bank of Ceylon (Battaramulla Branch) of the Registrar General’s of which payments made to the account No.7039827 and completed application to the relevant Divisional Secretariat.
• If you wish to receive the death certificate via post , it should be forwarded a self-addressed stamped envelope with the application and the receipt which fees has paid as mentioned above
• If the death has been registered, the number of copies of the relevant death certificate applied will be issued according to the amount paid and if the death has not been registered, it is informed by Form B 38 on that matter.

***As such facility to apply copies of certificates by entering https://online.ebmd.rgd.gov.lk via online method is available.

Obtaining translated copies of death certificates

• Information can be obtained from the web site on the regional offices of the Department in which translators are available and can be obtained this service. The offices which the translators are available

• Translations which can be obtained
  • Sinhala-English
  • English-Sinhala
  • Tamil-English
  • English –Tamil

• The time on which applications are accepted : From 9.00 am to 2.30 pm on working days. (Not opened in Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.)
• Applications can be obtained from the offices which the translators are available or downloading from the web site. 
• Documents to be forwarded
  • Duly filled application
  • Original copy of the death certificate or a certified copy of the document to be translated obtained from a Divisional Secretariat
  • If it is obtained from post, a self-addressed stamped envelope of the receiver should be forwarded in addition to the above requirements.
• Translation Charges
  • Rs.600.00 for one translated copy
  • Can be obtained any number of translations
• Time taken : 05 working days
• One day service has not available as yet.

Registration of Marriages (General)

• It can get married under Registration of Marriages (General) Ordinance, that the parties who are belonging to any other race or religion, the both parties are not Muslims.
• Marriage Notice should be filled in two copies and handed over to the Marriage Registrar of the division by certifying it.(Birth certificate or other document to confirm the name and date of birth)
• Authorized persons to certify the Notices
  • Marriage Registrar of the division
  • A Justice of Peace
  • A Notary Public
  • A Minister
• The requirements to be fulfilled for handing over a marriage notice
  • Requirement of the residency of the parties in the relevant division
    • Parties residing in the division for past 10 days prior to submit the marriage notice.
    • Parties are not resided in the same division and  resided in separate divisions, for past 10 days prior to  submit the  marriage notice.
    • If one party out of two parties has not been resided in Sri Lanka for past 10 days prior to submit the marriage notice, the other party shall be resided in Sri Lanka in 10 days.  

• If  at least one party out of two parties had not been resided in Sri Lanka for past 10 days prior to  submit the  marriage notice, one party shall be resided in Sri Lanka in 04 days.
• Both parties shall  be completed age of 18 years to last birthday.
• They are not prohibited degrees of relationship  to marry
• At that time a valid marriage is not existed
  • For registration of marriages(general),  14 days shall be elapsed from submitting  the marriage notice to the relevant Registrar.
  • If it is necessary to register a marriage before 14 days, a  request can be made from the registrar for making registration  on special license.
  • When marriage notices handed over to the marriage registrars  of  two divisions, marriage can be registered after exchanging notices and issuing of certificates of registrars.
  • If it is required to register the marriage in a place  outside  the marriage registrar’s office, a special permission should be taken and an application of which prescribed fees paid, should be forwarded for that purpose.

** After completing of the above matters, registration of the marriage is done by the registrar before  two witnesses and the third copy of the marriage certificate is handed over to the bride.

• Fees to be paid to the Registrar in registration of marriages

  No.	Matter	To whom to be paid	By whom the payment is made	Amount (Rs.)	The manner of payment
  1	Included a marriage notice in the Registrar’s office or any other place	Registrar	Applicant	120.00	Should be paid in cash
  2	Included a marriage notice in the office of Additional District Registrar or District Registrar or any other place	Additional District Registrar or District Registrar	Applicant	120.00	Should be paid in cash to the government
  3	Issuing of Registrar’s certificate on a marriage notice	Registrar	Marriage parties	120.00	Should be paid in cash
  4	Issuing of Additional District Registrar’s or District Registrar’s certificate on a marriage notice	Additional District Registrar or District Registrar	Marriage parties	120.00	Should be paid in cash to the government
  5	Functioning the marriage in Registrar’s office	Registrar	Marriage parties	900.00	Should be paid in cash
  6	Functioning the marriage in Additional District Registrar’s office or District Registrar’s office	Additional District Registrar or District Registrar	Marriage parties	900.00	Should be paid in cash to the government
  7	Functioning the marriage in a place outside from the Registrar’s office under Sections 38(1) or 38(2)	Registrar	Marriage parties	900.00	Should be paid in cash
  8	Functioning the marriage in a place outside from the Additional District Registrar’s or District Registrar’s office under Sections 38(1) or 38(2)	Additional District Registrar or District Registrar	Marriage parties	900.00	Should be paid in cash to the government
  9	Obtaining a special license under Section 27(3)	To the government	Marriage parties	120.00	Should be paid in cash
  10	Registration of a marriage functioned in a registered religious place	District Registrar	Marriage parties	900.00	Should be paid in cash to the government
  11	Issuing of home license for the registration of marriages in a place outside the Registrar’s office under Section 38 1,2	To the government	Marriage parties	60.00	Should be paid in cash

Marriages by a Christian Minister

• Provision has been made to the marriages of Christians in their Churches.
• Marriage notice should be prepared and certified in two copies and submitted to the marriage registrar of the division (birth certificate or other document to proof name and date of birth)
• Authorized persons to certify the notice
  • Marriage Registrar of the division
  • A Justice of Peace
  • A Notary Public
  • A Minister
• Requirements to be fulfilled for submitting  a marriage notice,
  • Parties should complete the requirement of residence in the relevant division. That is,
    • Parties shall be resided in the division for past 10 days prior to  submit the  marriage notice.
    • Parties are not resided in the same division and  resided in separate divisions, for past 10 days prior to  submit the  marriage notice.
    • If one party out of two parties has not been resided in Sri Lanka for past 10 days prior to  submit the  marriage notice, the other party shall be resided in Sri Lanka in 10 days.  
    • If at least one party out of two parties had not been resided in Sri Lanka for past 10 days prior to submit the marriage notice, one party shall be resided in Sri Lanka in 04 days.
  • Both parties shall  be completed age of 18 years to last birthday.
  • They are not prohibited degrees of  relationship  to marry
  • At that time a valid marriage is not existed
  • If they are divorced persons, a copy of absolute decree shall be submitted.
  • If married under Marriage law(general) of Sri Lanka and after that  got divorce by a court decision in a foreign country, it is necessary to obtain a decree on divorce  by filing a case before a Court with definite jurisdiction in Sri Lanka.

• Registration fees is Rs.900.00
• “Certificate of the Registrar” (Form B103 Registration) shall be obtained from the Registrar or Additional District Registrar.
• Church marriage can be done by submitting the same certificate of the Registrar to the Minister who is in the church, which is expected to be register the marriage.
• After that, your legal marriage certificate can be obtained by submitting the synod certificate (B112) issued by the minister, to the Additional District Registrar of the Divisional Secretariat which the church is situated.

Process for Registration of Marriage between a Sri Lankan and a Foreigner

Documents under the below mentioned matters shall be forwarded to the Registrar

• Marriage Notice (Prepared and certified in two copies)
• Visa required for entering a foreigner to Sri Lanka, valid passport and its photocopy
• Original copy of the document issued by authorized institution of his/her own country for proofing civil status and legal documents of divorced/ widowed persons for proofing that matter.
• Health declaration for proofing the health condition of the foreigner
• Birth certificate(if it is necessary to proof name and age) and a photocopy
• Permission issued by the Registrar General

Procedure for obtaining Permission issued by the Registrar General

• The following documents should be submitted to the Civil Registration Division of the Department by the relevant parties (only by the persons to be married or their closed relations) before or after the foreigner come to this country.

1. 1. Application
   2. Photocopy of the National Identity Card of the Sri Lankan
   3. Photocopy of the passport of the foreigner
   4. Police report of the foreigner ( obtained within 6 months) so as to proof not an offender of an offence
   5. .Certificate of the civil status of the foreigner (obtained within 6 months) if a person married before, divorce certificate and certificate on civil status)

• All the documents mentioned above should be submitted in 4 copies
• Certificate on civil status should be forwarded by the government institution of the relevant country and  affidavits can be submitted only if the certificate on civil status are not issued by the government institutions of the relevant country .Affidavits should be certified by the government institutions of the relevant country.
• In that case ,if the foreigner married in a foreign country and divorced in a foreign country , the foreign decree on divorce or if married in Sri Lanka and divorced in a foreign country, the foreign divorce decree  and decree on divorce in Sri Lanka should be submitted.
• Registration of marriage should be done by the Additional District Registrar of the Divisional Secretariat or the Marriage Registrar of the relevant division and if the marriage will be done by the Marriage Registrar, the name of the relevant Registrar and relevant Divisional Secretariat should be mentioned in the application.
• The date, place and relevant district should be stated in the application.
• It takes 14 working days  for obtaining of clearance report from the date which the documents handed over to the head office.
• The permission issued by the Registrar General is valid from the date issued up to 03 months.
• No any fee charged for issuing  this permission.
• The above documents should be submitted to the  relevant Additional district Registrar/Divisional Marriage Registrar when handing over the marriage notice.
• The circular No.18/2021 and dated 18/10/2021 regarding the above matter has been implemented from the date 01/01/2022 and the revised circular therein is implemented from 01/08/2022.

Registration of Marriages under Kandyan Law

• Only Sinhala nationalities who are resided at an area under Kandyan law can be married under Kandyan law.
• The areas affected Kandyan marriage law
  • Central province
  • North central province
  • Uva Province
  • Sabaragumu Province
  • East and West Chuniyachedkulam Korale of Vavunia District of North Peovince and Kilakkumale Korale –South
  • Binthenna Pattu, Weegampattu and Panama Pattu in Batticaloa District of Eastern Province and Kadukkulama Pattu in Trincomalee District .
  • Kurunegala District of North Western Province and Demala Hath Pattu of Puttalam District.

• Only the Marriage Registrars appointed for the above mentioned areas have authority to register marriages under Kandyan Law.
• Requirements to be fulfilled for the registration a marriage under this law.
  • It is required to reside both parties in the relevant area.
  • Parties shall be resided in the division for past 10 days prior to submit the marriage notice.
  • Parties are not resided in the same division and resided in separate divisions, for past 10 days prior to submit the marriage notice.
  • If one party out of two parties has not been resided in Sri Lanka for past 10 days prior to submit the marriage notice, the other party   shall be resided in Sri Lanka in 10 days.  
  • If at least one party out of two parties had not been resided in Sri Lanka for past 10 days prior to submit the marriage notice, one party shall be resided in Sri Lanka in 04 days.
    • Both parties shall be completed age of 18 years to last birthday.
    • They are not prohibited degrees of relationship to marry(According to the Kndyan Marriage Law No.44 of 1952)
    • At that time a valid marriage is not existed
• If the above requirements are completed, submit the marriage notice which has been duly filled and certified to the divisional marriage registrar in two copies.
• The Registrar of the same division has the authority to certify the marriage notice (Birth certificate or other document to proof the name and age)
• Marriage can be registered after 14 days elapsed from submitting marriage notice
• If the marriage to be registered before 14 days of submitting the marriage notice, a special license should be obtained by paying relevant fees.
  • When marriage notices handed over to the marriage registrars of two divisions, marriage can be registered after exchanging notices and issuing of certificates of registrars.
  • If it is required to register the marriage in a place outside the marriage registrar’s office, a special permission should be obtained and an application of which prescribed fees paid, should be forwarded for that purpose.

*After completing of the above matters, registration of the marriage is done by the registrar before two witnesses and the third copy of the marriage certificate is handed over to the bride.

• Fees to be paid to the Registrar in registration of Kandyan marriages

Registration of a Muslim Marriage

• Under Muslim Marriage Divorce Act, a female and a male who are the followers of the Islam in Sri Lanka can be get married.
• Muslim Marriage Registrars have been appointed by the Department for the registration of these marriages .
• Nikah customs are practiced before registration of that marriages
• After Nikah custom,the priest who has done the Nikah custom , the vali of the bride , the bride groom and two other male witnesses should meet the Muslim Registrar and register the marriage.
• However, the marriage could not be registered at that time, the District Registrar of the relevant Divisional Secretariat (Divisional Secretary) has an authority to order the Muslim Registrar for re-registration of the same marriage as a past Muslim marriage.

Foreign Marriage Registration (If the marriage is registered in Sri Lankan Embassies of or Sri Lankan High Commissioner’s Office)

• Ambassador/ High Commissioner or a consular officer has an ability to register a marriage in a foreign country under Consular Activity Act.
• In that case, at least one party shall be a Sri Lankan.
• The relevant marriage can be registered in Sinhala, English or Tamil language.
• A marriage can be registered under general marriage law or Kandyan marriage divorce law or Muslim marriage law. (A Muslim registrar should be available for registration of a marriage under Muslim marriage law)

Correction of an error in General Marriage Certificate

• The relevant request shall be forwarded to the District Court with due authority by the parties of aforesaid marriage for the correction of an error occurred at the registration of the marriage.
• Required documents:
  • Marriage Certificate
  • Documents requested from the Courts
• The request shall be forwarded to the District Court with due authority by the parties through an attorney at law.
• If it is a documentary error, it can be checked whether the accuracy of the duplicate of the marriage certificate by informing the additional district registrar of the divisional secretariat of which the marriage is belonging to.

Correction of an error in Kandyan Marriage Certificate

• Request for the correction of an error in registration of a marriage shall be forwarded to the Additional District Registrar of the Divisional Secretariat of which the place of registration of the marriage is belonging to.
• Required documents:
  • Marriage Certificate
  • The error occurred and an affidavit including accurate information
  • Other documents required to proof matters

Correction of an error in Muslim Marriage Certificate

• Request for the correction of an error in registration of a marriage shall be forwarded to the Additional District Registrar of the Divisional Secretariat of which the place of registration of the marriage is belonging to.
• Required documents:
  • Marriage Certificate
  • The error occurred and an affidavit including accurate information
  • After submitting of other documents required to proof matters , ability to issue order subsequent to carry out formal inquiry by the District Registrar.

Obtaining divorce under General Marriage Law

• This activity is completely a judicial procedure. It is suitable to consult an attorney–at–law and obtain legal advices.

Obtaining Divorce for a Kandyan Marriage

• Applications should be forwarded to,
  • If the applicant is resided in up country area, the District Registrar of the Divisional Secretariat belonging to the residential area of the applicant .
  • If the applicant is not resided in up country area, and the respondent is resided  in an up country area , the District Registrar of the Divisional Secretariat belonging to the same area or the District Registrar belonging to the Divisional Secretariat in which the marriage has been registered.
  • If the two parties are resided outside from the upcountry area, the District Registrar of the Divisional Secretariat belonging to the division of which the marriage registered.
• Obtain the application for the requesting of the divorce from the District Registrar
• Documents to be submitted
  • Duly filled application
  • Kandyan Marriage Certificate
  • If documents available require for  proof the complaint.
• Two parties are summoned for inquiries by the District Registrar
• If the matters mentioned in the application are confirmed, decree divorce declared by the District Registrar. Otherwise divorce is rejected.
  • If the decree declared by the District Registrar is not accepted, an appeal can be forwarded  to the District registrar by the unsatisfied party within 30 days.
• The relevant appeal will be forwarded to the District Court by the District Registrar and future actions will be taken according to the court order.

Obtaining Divorce for a Muslim Marriage

• A request should be forwarded to the Quazi who has been appointed for his area by the Ministry of Justice by the female or the male, to divorce a marriage solemnized under Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act.(Refer Chapter 115 of Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act,No.13 of 1951)

Obtaining of Kandyan Marriage and Divorce Certificate

• If an appeal has not presented in relation to the decree divorce which is declared by the District Registrar, (within 30 days of the decree declared) after completion of the appeal period ,the divorce certificate is given for the female party.
• If an appeal has presented against the decision made by the District Registrar on the divorce ,the divorce certificate is issued by the relevant District Registrar according to the court order.

Obtaining of Muslim Marriage and Divorce Certificate

• A divorce certificate is issued free of charge to the relevant female party at the moment of the divorcing the marriage by the quazi and if another copy is required, a certified copy can be obtained by forwarding application to the divisional secretariat which is belonging to the area of authority of the Quazi.

Obtaining of certified copies of a Marriage Certificate

• The copies of the marriage certificate shall be obtained from the Divisional Secretariat belonging to the place of which the marriage occurred
• If the relevant certificate is included in the data system, a certified copy therein can be obtained from any Divisional Secretariat nearby you as well.
  • Copies of certificates from 01.01.1960 to 01.01.2020 can be obtained from the system.(You can confirm whether it is in the data system by checking from your nearby Divisional Secretariat.)
• The required application can be obtained from the district registrar’s division of any Divisional Secretariat or the web-site of this Department. 
• Fees Charged
  • When the number, registered division and the date registered of the marriage certificate is known - fees for one copy : Rs.120.00.
  • When the number and the date registered of the marriage certificate is not known (As checking of documents less than two years is required) - fees for one copy : Rs.250.00.
• Copies of certificates can be applied by making relevant payments to the Divisional Secretariat or forwarding the bank slip which is received by the Bank of Ceylon (Battaramulla Branch) of the Registrar General’s of which payments made to the account No.7039827 and completed application to the relevant Divisional Secretariat.
• If you wish to receive the marriage certificate via post , it should be forwarded a self-addressed stamped envelope with the application and the receipt which fees has paid as mentioned above
• If the marriage has been registered, the number of copies of the relevant marriage certificate applied will be issued according to the amount paid and if the marriage has not been registered, it is informed by Form B38 on that matter.

*As such facility to apply copies of certificates by entering https://online.ebmd.rgd.gov.lk via online method is available.

Obtaining translated copies of Marriage Certificates

• Information can be obtained from the web site on the regional offices of the Department in which translators are available and can be obtained this service. The offices which the translators are available

• Translations which can be obtained
  • Sinhala-English
  • English-Sinhala
  • Tamil-English
  • English –Tamil

• The time on which applications are accepted : From 9.00 am to 2.30 pm on working days. (Not opened in Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.)
• Applications can be obtained from the offices which the translators are available or downloading from the web site. 
• Documents to be forwarded
  • Duly filled application
  • Original copy or a certified copy of the document to be translated obtained from a Divisional Secretariat
  • If it is obtained from post, a self-addressed stamped envelope of the receiver should be forwarded in addition to the above requirements.
    • Translation Charges
      • Rs. 600.00 for one translated copy
      • Can be obtained any number of translations
• Time taken : 05 working days
• One day service has not available as yet.

Registration of Births, Marriages and Deaths certificates and issuing of copies

• These documents are registered by the births, marriages and deaths registrars who are appointed to each Registrar Divisions established under 334 Divisional Secretariats situated in Island wide.
• Copies of Certificates are issued by Divisional Secretariats.
• Office Hours
  • District Registrar Division established in the Divisional Secretariat is opened from 8.30 am to 3.45 pm on week days.( Money counter is opened only up to 3.00 pm)
    • Office is not opened for normal duties on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.
  • Duty hours of Divisional Registrars are from 10.00 am to 2.00 pm.

Registration of a birth occurred at home

1. Should be informed to the Grama Niladhari within 07 days of the birth occurred.
2. For every birth , report prepared as per Form B23 relating to the aforesaid birth , should be sent by the Grama Niladhari to the Births and Deaths Registrar relevant to the place which the birth occurred.
3. The birth is registered by the Registrar who is appointed to the Births and Deaths division which the birth occurred.
4. Duly filled registration - Form CR01 should be submitted to the Births and Deaths Registrar relevant to the birth place. The same registration – Form CR01 can be obtained from the Registrar relevant to the birth place or downloaded from the web-site. 
5. Eligible persons to inform a birth 
   • Father
   • Mother 
   • Persons who were present at the time of the birth of the child 
   • Guardians
6. The document to be submitted by the persons who are eligible to inform a birth
   • Duly filled registration-Form CR01
   • A photocopy of the marriage certificate of the parents (if not so, see No.7)
   • Photocopies of the birth certificates of the parents
   • Original copy and photocopies of National Identity Card       
7. If the parents are unmarried, both of the parents should meet the Births and Deaths Registrar relevant to the place which the birth occurred for enter the information of the father.
8. Birth can be registered free of charge within 03 months from the birth occurred. Birth can be registered after 03 months elapse from the birth and refer the details on past birth registration for that purpose.
9. A copy of the register of birth is issued free of charge to the informer after registration of a birth.
10. Even if an ability to register a birth only on the information of date of birth and place of birth the information known by the mother (although including information less than that occasionally). In that occasion, birth register is issued by completing only the columns which were relevant to information provided .

*When you received the birth certificate, please be kind enough to acknowledge it after going through and checking it.

(Provisions of the Births and Deaths Registration Ordinance No.17 of 1951 is applicable)

Registration of birth occurred in a hospital (Public or Private)

• A birth is registered by the Registrar of Births and Deaths who is relevant to the place of birth .(List of Births and Deaths Registrars) If the birth occurred in a hospital, it should be informed to the registrar relevant to that place or appointed to the hospital, for registration of the birth.
• Eligible persons to inform a birth
  • Father
  • Mother
  • Persons who were present at the time of the birth of the child, guardians of the child
  • Medical officer of the hospital

• If the parents are unmarried, both of the parents should meet the Births and Deaths Registrar relevant to the hospitalwhich the birth occurred for enter the information of the father.
• Required registration for inform the birth- Form CR 01, can be obtained from Births and Deaths registrar and can be download from the web-site also. 
• The document to be submitted for registration of a birth by the persons who are eligible to inform a birth
  • Duly filled registration - Form CR01
  • Report issued by the hospital to confirm the birth
  • A photocopy of the marriage certificate of the parents
  • Photocopies of the birth certificates of the parents
  • Original copy and photocopies of National Identity Card

• A copy of the register of birth is issued free of charge to the informer

*When you received the birth certificate, please be kind enough to acknowledge it after going through and checking it.

(Provisions of the Births and Deaths Registration Ordinance No.17 of 1951 is applicable)

Birth Occurred in a Registered Estate

• The birth should be informed within 07 days of a birth occurred, to the superintendent of the Estate (if a superintendent is not available or the superintendent not accept to inform , to the Grama Niladhari who is appointed relevant to the birth place ) by the following persons who are eligible to inform a birth .
• If a superintendent is not available, if the birth is inform to the Grama Niladhari, see the details of registration of a birth occurred at a home.
• Eligible persons to inform a birth
  • Father
  • Mother
  • Persons who were present at the time of the birth of the child
  • Guardians
• The estate birth report is certified by the Superintendent of the Estate and submitted to the Additional District Registrar of the Divisional Secretariat through the District Medical Officer with Form CR01 which forwarded by the persons who register the birth.
• The birth certificate is forwarded to the relevant Estate Superintendent after registration of the birth by the Additional District registrar.
• The birth certificate can be obtained free of charge by the informer from the superintendent of the estate.

*When you received the birth certificate, please be kind enough to acknowledge it after going through and checking it.

(Provisions of the Births and Deaths Registration Ordinance No.17 of 1951 is applicable)

Foreign Birth Registration in the Relevant Country

• Births of the children who are born in a foreign country begotten to Sri Lankan parents (at least one party should be Sri Lankan) can be registered in foreign countries.
• Birth is registered by the office of Sri Lankan ambassador /High Commissioner of Sri Lanka of the country which the birth occurred.
• The required declaration to inform the birth, can be obtained from the office of the ambassador of Sri Lanka/High Commissioner of Sri Lanka.
• Eligible persons to inform for registration of the birth
  • Father
  • Mother
  • Guardian
• Documents to be forwarded ( original copy and a set of photocopied should be submitted)
  • Duly completed declaration
  • Relevant documents for the confirmation of the birth (Birth certificate issued by the country which the birth occurred or hospital report)
  • A photocopy of the marriage certificate of the parents
  • Photocopies of the birth certificates of the parents
  • Passport and Visa used at the birth of the child
  • If mother and father are citizens of a foreign country, the same certificate.
• The amount prescribed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as government charges should be paid by the valid currency of the relevant country.

Foreign Birth Registration in Sri Lanka

• If a birth could not be registered through the office of the Ambassador /High Commissioner of the relevant country which the birth occurred within the period of one year by paying government fees, the following documents can be submitted to the office of the Ambassador /High Commissioner of the country which the birth occurred to register the same birth as a past birth. The said documents will be forwarded to the central record room at Maligawatta through the relevant office of Ambassador for the approval.
• The documents to be forwarded ( original copy and a set of photocopied should be submitted)
• Documents Required:
  • Duly completed declaration
  • Relevant documents for the confirmation of the birth (Birth certificate issued by the country which the birth occurred or hospital report)
  • Marriage certificate of the parents (Certified copies)
  • Birth certificates of the parents(Certified copies)
  • Passport and Visa used by the mother at the birth of the child
  • If mother and /or father are citizens of a foreign country, the same certificate.

• Similarly, any period before/after one year of the birth of a child occurred, if it is not registered by the relevant office of Ambassador/ High Commissioner of the relevant foreign country, birth can be registered by forwarding to the central record room at Maligawatta.
• The declaration required for inform the birth can be obtained from the Consular Division of Central Record Room at Maligawatta.
• Eligible persons to inform for registration of the birth:
  • Father
  • Mother
  • Guardian

• A receipt received by paying a sum of Rs.13,755.00 as registration fees to the Consular Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should be forwarded.

*The required information can be obtained from the Deputy Registrar General of the Central Record Room of the Registrar General’s Department .Telephone No. +94112329 773 or +94 112 433 075/ 071 8255066.

Registration of Past Births

• When a birth not registered within three months of a birth occurred, such birth can be registered as a past birth. (See Circular 8/2008)
• For that purpose, a declaration under Section 24 of the Registration of Births ,Marriages and Deaths Act, should be forwarded to the Additional District Registrar of the Divisional Secretariat relevant to the birth occurred.(Approval can be given by the Additional District Registrar of the Divisional Secretariat to the declaration which is forwarded  for the period from three months to one year.)
• Persons who can present  the declaration
  • One  from the parents
  • Guardian of the child
  • Any person who is interested
• Fees for the declaration is Rs.60.00
• The following documents should be forwarded with the declaration presented within one year from the birth occurred.
  • If parents are married, a certified copy of their marriage certificate.
  • One of the following documents proofing the date of birth and place of birth of the subject( the person relevant to the birth)
    • Hospital birth report or certified copy
    • Grama Niladhari birth report or certified copy (B23)
    • Estate birth report or certified copy
    • A certificate of the Public Health Midwife
• If the above mentioned documents are not available, one of the following documents instead of that,
  • Child Health Development Record  (CHDR)
  • Baptism  certificate
  • Certificate copy of the School Attendance Register / Pupil’s Record Sheet
  • Report of the Estate Welfare Officer
  • Horoscope or Chart prepared nearly to the date of birth.
• If  any of these documents are not available, a declaration included in the known details and an affidavit.
• The following documents should be forwarded with the declaration presented after passing one year from the birth occurred.
  • Certificate as to the birth has not been  registered (Empty result)
  • If parents are married, a certified copy of their marriage certificate.
  • One of the following documents proofing the date of birth and place  of birth of the subject( the person relevant to the birth)
    • Hospital birth report or certified copy
    • Grama Niladhari birth report or certified copy (B23)
    • Estate birth report or certified copy
    • A certificate of the Public Health Midwife
  • Child Health Development Record  (CHDR)
  • Baptism  certificate
  • Certificate copy of the School Attendance Register / Pupil’s Record Sheet
  • Report of the Estate Welfare Officer
  • Horoscope or Chart prepared nearly to the date of birth.
• If  any of these documents are not available, a declaration included in the known details and an affidavit.

Issuance of Probable Age Certificates

• To any person who are unable to provide proper information for registration of a birth certificate (documents for proofing the birth such as hospital birth record/Grama Niladhari Report) can be applied from the Divisional Secretariat relevant to the birth place, for obtaining Probable Age Certificate.
• Required Documents
  • Declaration
  • Results of searching documents
  • Affidavits and records
  • Grama Niladhari Reports
  • Information for proofing the birth
  • The date of birth can be noted in the probable age certificate by forwarding documents for proofing date of birth.
• Seek advice from the Additional District Registrar of the nearest Divisional Secretariat for further details.

Alternation of Information in a Birth Register

• In a birth registration entry, alternations of,
  • Details in column 01 - Date of Birth and Place of Birth
  • When a name has not been included in column 02, to include a name or alternation of a name included in a birth register later.
  • Details in column 03 - Male/Female
  • Details in column 04 - to alternate the details of the father (except race)
  • Details in column 05 - All the details of the mother
  • Details in column 06 - Marital status of the parents
  • Details in column 07 - Details of the Grand Father
  • Details in column 09 - Information of the informer

 Can be made.

• The relevant declaration, should be forwarded to the Additional District Registrar of the Divisional Secretariat relevant to the birth occurred.
• The declaration should be forwarded  by,
  • The person who owned the birth certificate
  • Father or mother
  • Legal guardian
  • A person who are not satisfied with such information mentioned in the birth certificate.
• The fees for the declaration is Rs.60.00
• A certified copy of the birth certificate which is expected to be alternated should be compulsorily annexed to the declaration.
• Written evidences for proofing of the bona fide of the request should be forwarded with it.
• Some written evidences which can be obtained for proofing the bona fide of the request made from the declaration are given below for your convenience.
  • Certified copy of the marriage certificate of the parents
  • Filial nomenclature /fraternal nomenclature
  • Certified copies of the birth certificates of father and mother
  • Certified copy of a birth register of a child who is born after registration of the marriage of the parents.
  • If a child who is not born after registration of a marriage, a certified copy of a birth register of an elder or younger child to the subjected child.
  • Certified copies of the records in hospitals, maternity homes or copies of the documents of the midwife.
  • Extracts of pupil’s record sheet, school attendance register.
  • Copy of the Electoral Register including the names of parents and the subject
  • If the father was deceased, certified copy of his death certificate

Adoption of a Child

• Age of the adopted child should not be more than 14 years
• The requirements to be fulfilled by the applicant
  • The age of the applicant should be more than 25 years
  • The minimum age gap between the applicant who is expecting to adopt the child and the relevant child should be 21 years.
  • The above condition is not relevant if the relevant child is descending from the applicant, if the child descending from a sibling of the applicant or a child of their marital party .
• If the age of the child who is adopting is more than 10 years, the consent of the child is necessary.
• The Order for adoption a child based on the certificates and documents presented is issued by the District Court.
• Based on the same Order(Form No.4) the certificate of adopting child (Form B143) is issued by the Registrar General Department and the birth of the child who is adopting can be re-registered by this.
• The following documents should be submitted to the Head office of the Register General Department for re-registration of the birth.
  • Application for re-registration of the birth(B149)
  • Certified copy of the marriage certificate of the parents
  • Certified copies of the birth certificates of father and mother
  • If a birth certificate has been registered for the child before ,the same certificate or if not registered, the empty result register.
• The application which is forwarded accurately with the above information is forwarded to the Divisional Secretariat belonging the place of birth of the child, by the Register General Department for re-registration of the birth.

Obtaining Copies of Birth Certificates

• Copies of birth certificate should be obtained from the Divisional Secretariat relevant to the birth occurred.
  • If the relevant certificate is in the data system, certified copy therein can be obtained from any Divisional Secretariat near by you.
  • Copies of certificates from 01.01.1960 to 31.12.2020 can be obtained from the system.(It can be confirmed by checking by your nearest Divisional Secretariat whether it is in the eBMD System)
• Required application can be obtained from the Registrar Division of any Divisional Secretariat/ web-site .
• Fees charged
  • When the number of the birth certificate and registered date  is known-charges for one copy Rs.120.00
  • When the number of the birth certificate and registered date is not known, (as required to search the documents  less than two years) - charges for one copy Rs.250.00
    • Copies of certificates can be applied by paying relevant fee to the relevant Divisional Secretariat or forwarding the bank slip which was paid to the Registrar General‘s account No.7039827 of Bank of Ceylon(Battaramulla Branch) and completed application, to the relevant Divisional Secretariat.
    • If you wish to receive the birth certificate via post, it should be forwarded a self-addressed stamped envelope, application and as mentioned above the receipt which fees has paid.
    • If the birth has been registered, the number of copies of the applied relevant birth certificate according to the amount paid will be issued and if the birth has not been registered, it will be informed by Form B38.

**Similarly, there is an ability to apply copies of certificates via online method by reaching the web-site https:// online.ebmd.rgd.gov.lk

Obtaining Translated Copies of Birth Certificates

• Information on the regional offices of the Department which the translators are available to provide this service, can be obtained from the web-site. Translations which can be obtained  from the offices which the translators are available,
  • Sinhala-English
  • English-Sinhala
  • Tamil-English
  • English -Tamil
• The time on which applications are accepted : From 9.00 am to 2.30 pm on working days. (Not opened in Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.
• Applications can be obtained from the offices which the translators are available or web-site. 
• Documents to be forwarded
  • Duly filled application
  • Original copy or a certified copy of the document to be translated obtained from a Divisional Secretariat
  • If it is obtained from post, a self-addressed stamped envelope should be forwarded in addition to the above requirements.
• Translation Charges
  • Rs. 600.00 for one translated copy
  • Can be obtained any quantity of translations
• Time taken : 05 working days
• One day service has not available as yet.