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How to Request an Official Family Registry Certificate

Many countries keep an official registry of family relationships. Here is the general process for requesting a certificate from one.

  1. Access your country's official family registry system

    Look up the government agency or online portal responsible for civil or family registry records in your country, and verify your identity to log in.

  2. Choose the certificate type you need

    A family registry system usually issues several different certificate types, for example one focused on marital status, another on parent-child relationships, and one on general family relationships, so pick the one that matches what you actually need.

  3. Decide between a basic and a detailed version

    A basic certificate typically shows only current, active family relationship information, while a detailed version includes historical changes as well. Check with whoever is requesting the certificate to see which version they require.

  4. Request and print it online

    If your country supports it, submitting the request online lets you generate and print the certificate immediately, without visiting an office.

  5. Or visit a local government office

    If the online process feels complicated, or is not available for your situation, the same certificate can usually be requested in person at a local civil affairs office.

  6. Check how long the certificate stays valid

    Different organizations accept certificates for different lengths of time after issue, so it is safest to request a fresh copy shortly before you actually need to submit it.

One document, several possible formats

Because whoever is requesting the certificate from you may need a specific format, basic or detailed, it pays to ask ahead of time exactly which type they need. This article describes a general process and is not legal advice; check your own country's official civil registry agency for the exact procedure, fees, and document types that apply to you.

Online requests are usually faster

Where an online family registry system is available, submitting a request there and printing the result yourself is typically much faster than a visit to a physical office, since there is no travel time or waiting in line involved.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is requesting the certificate online faster than visiting an office?

Where an online civil registry system is available, yes β€” you can usually generate and print the certificate immediately without needing to visit in person.

How long is a family registry certificate valid for?

Acceptable validity periods vary by the organization you are submitting it to, so it is safest to request a new copy shortly before you need to submit it.