• - The birth is registered by the Registrar of births and deaths of the area where birth occurred. If the birth has occurred at a Rural Hospital, inform the Registrar of that area for registration of such birth.
• - Appropriate persons for informing of a birth for registration
  • Father
  • Mother
  • Person present at the time of occurrence of the birth
  • Medical Officer of the hospital
• - Obtain the relevant declaration from the Registrar of births and deaths for informing the birth.
• - Documents to be submitted
• - Duly perfected declaration
• - Hospital report issued in proof of the occurance of the birth
• - A birth can be registered free of charge within a period of 03 months.
• - A copy of the birth certificate is issued to the informant free of charge.
• - Visit the Additional District Registrar of the Divisional Secretariat at your nearest for further information.

• Inform the Registrar of births and deaths at the General Hospital for registration of birth.
• Appropriate persons for informing of a Birth for registration
  • Father
  • Mother
  • Person present at the time of occurrence of the birth
  • Medical Officer of the Hospital
• Obtain the relevant declaration from the Registrar of births and deaths at the General Hospital for informing the birth.
• Documents to be submitted
  • Duly perfected declaration
  • Hospital report issued in proof of the occurance of the Birth
• A Birth can be registered free of charge within a period of 03 months.
• A copy of the Birth Certificate is issued to the informant free of charge.
• Visit the Additional District Registrar of the Divisional Secretariat at your nearest for further information.

• The Birth is registered by the Registrar of births and deaths of the area where birth occurred. If the birth has occurred at a private hospital, inform the Registrar of that area for registration of such birth.
• Appropriate persons for informing of a birth for registration
  • Father
  • Mother
  • Person present at the time of occurrence of the birth
  • Medical Officer of the Hospital
• Obtain the relevant declaration from the Registrar of births and deaths for informing the birth.
• Documents to be submitted
  • Duly perfected declaration
  • Hospital report issued in proof of the occurance of the birth
• A birth can be registered free of charge within a period of 03 months.
• A copy of the birth certificate is issued to the informant free of charge.
• Visit the Additional District Registrar of the Divisional Secretariat at your nearest for further information.

• Inform the estate superintendent within 07 days from the birth is occurred.
• Persons required to give information,
  • Father
  • Mother
  • Each person present at the birth
• Estate superintendent will certify the application and send to the Divisional Secretariat through the District Medical Officer.
• The birth is registered by the District Registrar and the certificate of birth will send to the estate superintendent.
• Certificate of birth can obtain from the estate superintendent by the informant free of charge.

ELIGIBILITY

Registration of birth of children born outside Sri Lanka to Sri Lankan parents can be registered. At least one of the parent should be a citizen of Sri Lanka /should have dual citizenship at the time of the child’s birth.

The declaration should be submitted within three (3) months of such birth to the relevant Diplomatic/consular officer, If not after three (3) months and within one year the Diplomatic/consular officer should record the reason for the delay and effect the registration.

After a year if the registration is not done it should get the consent of the Registrar General.

PROVISIONS

A birth can be registered under the provisions of the Births and Deaths Registration act (chapter 110 ) and section 7 of the consular functions act no 4 of 1981 and the consular functions (amendment ) act no.18 of 2006.

Submission of documents for registration

If a birth occurs in a foreign country, application for registration of a birth should be forwarded to the relevant Sri Lankan embassy/High Commission.

If it is not been registered and If the parents are living in Sri Lankadeclaration for registration of a birth should be forwarded to the Central Record Room of the Registrar General’s Department, Maligawatte, Colombo 10.

SUBMISSION PROCEDURE

Documents requesting registration for a birth should be submitted by one of the parent or the guardian.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR REGISTRATION OF BIRTH

1. Declaration form filled by the declarant
2. Birth certificate issued by the relevant country/Hospital record of the child.
3. Birth certificates of the father and the mother.
4. Marriage certificate of parents.
5. Passport copies of the parents at the time of the child’s birth.
6. English translation should be produced to the documents in any other foreign languages if needed.

HOURS OF BUSINESS

Central record room is open from 9.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. Except for Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

Working hours in the relevant Embassies/ High Commissions varies. Visit the relevant embassy/ High Commission web sites.

PROCESS OF CHARGES

£18 (Sterling Pounds) or $25 (US Dollars) or €20 (Euro) should be paid for to the relevant Embassy or High commission for the registration and issuance of a birth certificate.

If the declaration is submitted to the Central Record Room of the Registrar General’s Department, Rs.3900 should be paid to the consular section of the Ministry of External Affairs and hand over the receipt to the Central Record Room for the registration and issuance of a birth certificate.

Return of the certificate

To the person who presented the declaration.

Inquiries

1. Relevant Sri Lankan Embassy/High Commission or Consular Affairs Division of Ministry of External Affairs, Ceylinco building, Janathipathi Mawataha, Colombo 01

         Tel no;+94112446302,+94338812

2. Central Record Room of the Registrar General’s Department, Maligawatta, Colombo 10.

Tel no;+94112329773,+942433075

• If a birth has not been registered with 03 months since its occurrence it may be registered.
• Declaration should be produced to the Additional District Registrar of the Divisional Secretariat where birth occurred.
• Persons eligible for this
  • Any party having interest of
  • One of the parents
• Fee chargeable is Rs. 50.00
• Only the following documents should be submitted with the declarations produced within one year since the occurrences of the birth.
  • Marriage certificate of parents if they are married
  • One of following documents in proof of the date and place of birth of the subject.
    • Hospital birth report or certified copy
    • Grama Niladhari birth report or certified copy
    • Estate birth report or certified copy
    • Public Health Officer's certificate
• Following documents should be produced with the declaration produced after one year since occurrence of the birth.
  • Marriage certificate of parents if they are married
  • Nil result sheet
  • One of the following documents indicating date and place of birth of the person
    • Hospital report of certified copy
    • Grama Niladhari report or certified copy
    • Estate birth report or certified copy
    • Copy of the Midwife's birth register
  • In case of non-possession of any of the above documents,
    • Health development record
    • Certificate of baptism
    • Certified copy of the school admission register / pupil's record sheet
    • Estate welfare officer's report
    • Horoscope of the record of time prepared on a proximate date to the day on which the birth occurred
  • If any of these documents are not available, declaration including details having knowledge of and an affidavit.

• Certificates of probable age are issued to children under 14 yrs. of age whose birth cannot be registered.
• Certificates of probable age are issued to,
  • Resident children of a children's home approved by the government.
  • Children who are under the guardianship of persons other than children's homes approved by the government
• Documents to be submitted by the resident children of a children's home approved by the government.
  • Affidavit of the matron of the children's home
  • Medical certificate issued by a government medical officer determining the age of the child
  • Other documents containing information of the child (if any)
• Documents to be submitted by the children other than residents of a children's home approved by the government together with the declaration;
  • Affidavit of the guardian
  • Documents in proof of the guardianship of the guardians regarding the child concerned
    • Grama Niladhari certificate or
    • Certificate of the probation and Childcare Service Officer
    • Certificate from the Social Services Department
    • Certificate issued by the Inspector of Police
  • Medical certificate issued by a government medical officer determining the age of the child
  • Health Development Record
  • Copy of the school admission register if the child attends school
• Contact Additional District Registrar of the Divisional Secretariat at your nearest for further information.

• In a Birth certificate,
  • Information in cage 01 (Date & place of birth)
  • Information in cage 03 (Sex)
  • Information in cage 05 (Information of mother - if mother's name has been changed after the registration of the birth, it is not possible under this provision)
  • Information in cage 09 (Informant's information) may be altered
• Produce the declaration to the Additional District Registrar of the Divisional Secretariat of the area where birth occurred.
• The declaration should be produced by
  • Owner of the birth certificate
  • Father or Mother
  • Legal guardian
  • A person who is dissatisfied with any of the information appearing in the birth register
• Fee chargeable is Rs. 50.00
• A certified copy of the birth register to be amended should be essentially attached to the declaration.
• Following are some written evidences which may be produced to substantiate the request made in the declaration,
  • Parents' marriage certificate
  • List of children/ brothers and sisters
  • Birth certificate of father/ mother
  • Birth certificate of a child born after the registration of parents' marriage
  • In case there is no child born after the registration of the marriage of parents, birth certificate of a elder or younger child of the subject
  • Certified copies of records available in hospitals, maternity homes or midwife's records
  • Student's record sheet, extract of the school admission register
  • Copy of the electoral register where names of the subject and parents are included
  • If father is deceased, his death certificate

• Age of the adoptee child should not be more than 14 years.
• Requirements to be met by the applicant
  • He / She should be more than 25 years of age.
  • The age gap between the applicant and the adoptee child should be at least 21 years.
  • This will not apply if the child concerned is a descendant of the applicant / his brother or sister / any of their married partners.
• Child's consent is required if he / she is over 10 years old
• Spouses (husband and wife) should produce an application
• Order of adoption is issued by the District Court
• This order should be registered at the Registrar General's Department
• Birth of the adoption child can be re-registered
• Following documents should be submitted for re-registration of such birth
  • Application for a re-registration of a birth
  • Parents' certificate of Marriage
  • Parents' certificates Births
  • Certificate of the Adoption
• The application for re-registration of a birth should be produced to the Zonal Office of the Registrar General's Department to which the area where the child is born belongs to.

• Refer the application to the Divisional Secretariat relevant to the area where the birth occurred.
• Application can obtain from any Divisional Secretariat.
• Fees chargeable
  • Where the date of registration or the no. of the entry is given the fee for one copy of the certificate is Rs. 100.00
  • Where the date of registration or the no. of the entry is not given and a search of registers not exceeding two years is involved fee for one copy of the certificate is Rs. 200.00
• Required fee should pay to the Divisional Secretariat.
• Duly filled application should submit to the Divisional Secretariat.
• If you like to obtain the certificate of birth by post, submit a stamped envelop with the application.
• If the birth is registered a birth certificate will be send and if the birth is not registered a letter to the effect will be send.

• Offices of the Department where service of sworn translators can be received are given below.
• Translations which can be obtained,
  • Sinhala - English
  • Tamil - English
  • English - Sinhala
  • English - Tamil
• Time of receiving applications
  From 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
• Applications may be obtained from the offices where sworn translators are available.
• Documents to be submitted
  • Duly completed application.
  • Original or certified copy of birth certificate obtained from a Divisional Secretariat of the document to be translated.
  • Stamped envelope if translations are to be received by post.
• Fee for translations
  Rs. 500.00 for one copy payable to the Registrar General's Department

• Everyone other than where both parties are Muslims, can register their marriage under Marriage (general) Registration Ordinance.
• Marriage notice should be written and attested in duplicate and handed over to the Registrar of marriages of the division
• Persons authorized to attest marriage notice;
  • Registrar of marriages of the division
  • Justice of peace
  • Notary public
  • A Minister
• Requirements for submitting a marriage notice:
  • Requirement of residence of the parties in the relevant division.
    • Residence of parties in the relevant division within 10 days preceding submission of the marriage notice.
    • Residence of parties in different divisions within 10 days preceding submission of the marriage notice.
    • If one party was not living in Sri Lanka within 10 days preceding submission of the marriage notice, residence of the other party in Sri Lanka for such 10 days.
    • If none of the parties had not been living in Sri Lanka within 10 days preceding submission of the marriage notice, residence of one party for 04 days in Sri Lanka.
  • Completion of age of 18 yrs. by both parties as at their previous birth day.
  • The parties should not have any kind of relationship prohibited in law.
  • No party should have entered into any legal marriage which is valid at the time.
• 14 days should be lapsed since submission of marriage notice for registration of a marriage (general). Possibility prevails to register general marriage before lapse of such 14 days.
• Request may be made in order to register a marriage outside the office.
• Fees chargeable by the Registrar for registration of a marriage is as follows.

• Christians can register their marriages at their Churches.
• Marriage notice should be written and attested in duplicate and handed over to the Registrar of Marriage of the division.
• Persons authorized to attest marriage notices;
• Registrar of Marriage of the division
• Justice of peace
• Notary public
• A Minister
• Requirements for submitting a marriage notice:
• Requirement of residence of the parties in the relevant division
• Residence of parties in the relevant division within 10 days preceding submission of the marriage notice.
• Residence of parties in different divisions within 10 days preceding submission of the marriage notice.
• If one party was not living in Sri Lanka within 10 days preceding submission of the marriage notice, residence of the other party in Sri Lanka for such 10 days.
• If none of the parties had not been living in Sri Lanka within 10 days preceding submission of the marriage notice, residence of one party for 04 days in Sri Lanka.
• Completion of age of 18 yrs. by both parties as at their previous birth day.
• The parties should not have any kind of relationship prohibited in law.
• No party should have entered into any legal marriage which is valid at the time.
• Certificate of the registrar should be obtained from the Registrar or Additional District Registrar
• The said certificate should be produced to the minister of the church where the marriage is to be solemnized. Also provide uncancelled stamps value of Rs.25/- therewith.

This page is under construction

• A marriage solemnized under the Kandyan Law.
• Areas where kandyan law is applied,
  • Central Province
  • North Central Province
  • Uva Province
  • Sabaragamuwa Province
  • Chuniyachedkulam Korale East and West and Kilakkumale Korale South of Vavuniya District in the Northern Province
  • Bintenna Pattu, Wegam Pattu and Panam Pattu of Batticola District and Kadukkulam Pattu of Trincomalee District in the Eastern Province
  • Kurunegala District and Demala Hathpattu of Puttalam District in the North Western Province
• Notice of marriage should be written and attested in duplicate and handed over to the Registrar of Marriages. Registrar of Marriage of the Division has authority to attest marriage notices.
• Requirements for submitting a marriage notice:
  • Requirement of residence of the parties in the relevant division.
    • Residence of parties in the relevant division within 10 days preceding submission of the marriage notice.
    • Residence of parties in different divisions within 10 days preceding submission of the marriage notice.
    • If one party was not living in Sri Lanka within 10 days preceding submission of the marriage notice, residence of the other party in Sri Lanka for such 10 days.
    • If none of the parties had not been living in Sri Lanka within 10 days preceding submission of the marriage notice, residence of one party for 04 days in Sri Lanka.
  • Completion of age of 18 yrs. by both parties as at their previous birth day.
  • The parties should not have any kind of relationship prohibited in law.
  • No party should have entered into any legal marriage which is valid at the time.
• Request may be made in order to register a marriage outside the office.
• Fees chargeable by the registrars in registration of Kandyan Marriages is as follows.

• Request should be made to the Court by inter parties for correction of errors made during the registration.
• Documents to be submitted,
  • Certificate of marriage
  • Documents to be introduced to prove the relevant information
• The request should make to the District court of the area where the inter parties are residing.

• Refer the application to the Divisional Secretariat of the area where the registration took place.
• Application can obtain from any Divisional Secretariat.
• Fees chargeable
  • Where the date of registration or the no. of the entry is given the fee for one copy of the certificate is Rs.100.00
  • Where the date of registration or the no. of the entry is not given and a search of registers not exceeding two years is involved fee for one copy of the certificate is Rs. 200.00
• Required fee should submit to the Divisional Secretariat.
• Duly filled application should be submit to the Divisional Secretariat.
• If you like to obtain the certificate of marriage by post, submit a stamped envelop with the application.
• If the marriage is registered, a certificate of marriage will be send and if the marriage is not registered a letter to the effect will be send.

• Offices of the Department where service of sworn translators can be received are given below.
• Translations which can be obtained
  • Sinhala - English
  • Tamil - English
  • English - Sinhala
  • English - Tamil
• Time of receiving applications
  • From 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
• Applications may be obtained from the offices where sworn translators are available
• Documents to be submitted
  • Duly completed application
  • Original or certified copy of certificate of marriage obtained from a Divisional Secretariat of the document to be translated
  • Stamped envelope if translations are to be received by post
• Fee for a translation is Rs. 500.00 payable by cash.

• Applications shall submit to,
  • If the applicant is resides in a Kandyan province, the application shall be made to the District Registrar at the Divisional Secretariat relevant to the area where the applicant is residing.
  • If the applicant resides outside a Kandyan province, the application shall be made to the District Registrar at the Divisional Secretariat relevant to the area in which the respondent resides or in which the marriage was registered.
• Obtain the relevant application from the District Registrar informing the divorce.
• Documents to be submitted.
  • Duly perfected declaration
  • Certificate of Marriage (Kandyan)
  • If there are documents to prove the complain
• District Registrar call up both parties for an inquiry.
• District Registrar will grant the dissolution of the marriage in respect of which the application was made, or refuse to grant the dissolution of such marriage.
• If a party dissatisfied with the order, can make an appeal to the District Registrar within 30 days.
• District Registrar submits the appeal to the District court and will work on the order given by the District court.

• Inform the Grama Niladari within 07 days of the death is occurred.
• Grama Niladari shall send a report to the registrar of the area.
• The death is registered by the registrar of births and deaths of the area where death has occurred. Declaration of death can be obtained from the registrar.
• Persons required to give information,
  • Close relation present at the death.
  • Close relation who look after at the death.
  • If there is no relation as given above.,
  • Relation who residing in the area of the registrar division where the death occurred.
  • If there is no relation as given above.
  • Person present at the death
  • Occupier where the death occurred.
  • If there is no person as given above.
  • The person who cremate or buried the body.
• Death may be register free of charge within a period of 03 months. Death can be registered after 03 months. Please see the delayed registration of deaths.
• Certificate of death is issued to the informant free of charge.

• The death is registered by the Registrar of births and deaths of the area where death occurred. If the death has occurred at a rural hospital, inform the Registrar of that area for registration of such death.
• Appropriate persons for informing of a death for registration.
  • Person present at the time of occurrence of the death
  • Person who is treat at the time of occurrence of the death
  • Medical Officer of the hospital
• Obtain the relevant declaration from the Registrar of births and deaths for informing the death.
• Documents to be submitted,
  • Duly perfected declaration
  • Hospital report issued in proof of the occurance of the death
• A death can be registered free of charge within a period of 03 months.
• A copy of the certificate of death is issued to the informant free of charge.
• Visit the Additional District Registrar of the Divisional Secretariat at your nearest for further information.

• Inform the Registrar of births and deaths at the General Hospital for registration of the death.
• Appropriate persons for informing of a death for registration,
  • Person present at the time of occurrence of the death
  • Person who is treat at the time of occurrence of the death
  • Medical Officer of the Hospital
• Obtain the relevant declaration from the Registrar of births and deaths at the General Hospital for informing the death.
• Documents to be submitted
  • Duly perfected declaration
  • Hospital report issued in proof of the occurance of the death
• A death can be registered free of charge within a period of 03 months.
• A copy of the certificate of death is issued to the informant free of charge.
• Visit the Additional District Registrar of the Divisional Secretariat at your nearest for further information.

• The death is registered by the Registrar of births and deaths of the area where the death occurred. If the death has occurred at a private hospital, inform the Registrar of that area for registration of such death.
• Appropriate persons for informing of a death for registration,
  • Person present at the time of occurrence of the death
  • Person who is treat at the time of occurrence of the death
  • Medical Officer of the hospital
• Obtain the relevant declaration from the Registrar of births and deaths for informing the death.
• Documents to be submitted,
  • Duly perfected declaration
  • Hospital report issued in proof of the occurance of the death
• A death can be registered free of charge within a period of 03 months.
• A copy of the certificate of death is issued to the informant free of charge.
• Visit the Additional District Registrar of the Divisional Secretariat at your nearest for further information.

• If a death has not been registered with 03 months since its occurrence it may be registered.
• The death can only be registered only if a period of 25 yrs. has not been lapsed since occurrence of such death
• Persons eligible for this,
  • Any party having interest of
  • One of the parents
• Declaration can be produced by,
  • Close relation present at the time of death or who took care of the deceased when he/she was ill for the last time
  • Any other party interested
• Fee chargeable is Rs.50.00

As there is no sufficient evidence to prove the death of certain people, the relations do not interested to register the event as a death and get a Death certificate. Therefore as there is no legal document to prove the disappearance of the person, the relations have to face many difficulties.

The provisions has been provided to register the persons, reported missing as a result of the conflict which took place in the northern and eastern provinces or its aftermath or political unrest or civil disturbances or enforced disappearance or members of the armed forces or police, identified as missing in action; and formatters connected therewith or incidental thereto under the death registration (Temporary Provisions) (Amendment).

The ‘Certificate of Absence” should be applied by a “Relative”
N.B- Definition of the Relative as per the section 14 of the act

• Spouse
• Children including adopted children, on-marital children, or step children
• Parents including step-mother, step Father, adopter
• Full or half brothers or sisters or adopted brother or sisters
• Father-in-Law,mother-in-Law,Brothers-in-Law,Sisters-in-Law,Sons-in-Law, Daughters-in-Law
• Grandchildren and Grandparents

Application Procedure,

Applications of certificate of absence for a person is reported missing and has not been heard for a period exceeding one year, should be forwarded to the District Registrar of the area in which such missing person was last resident or had his permanent residence.

Additional Documents that should be submitted together with the application

• Affidavit
• Report of Grama Niladhari
• Other evidence to prove the request
• Certified copy of the decision given by the commissions

• Refer the application to the Divisional Secretariat of the area where the death is occurred.
• Application can be obtained from any Divisional Secretariat.
• Fees chargeable
  • Where the date of registration or the no. of the entry is given the fee for one copy of the certificate is Rs. 100.00
  • Where the date of registration or the no. of the entry is not given and a search of registers not exceeding two years is involved fee for one copy of the certificate is Rs. 200.00
• Required fee should pay to the Divisional Secretariat.
• Duly filled application should submit to the Divisional Secretariat.
• If you like to obtain the certificate of death by post, submit a stamped envelop with the application.
• If the death is registered a certificate of death will be send and if the death is not registered a letter to the effect will be send.

• Offices of the Department where service of sworn translators can be received are given below.
• Translations which can be obtained
  • Sinhala - English
  • Tamil - English
  • English - Sinhala
  • English - Tamil
• Time of receiving applications
  • From 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
• Applications may be obtained from the offices where sworn translators are available
• Documents to be submitted
  • Duly completed application
  • Original or certified copy of the certificate of death obtained from a Divisional Secretariat of the document to be translated
  • Stamped envelope if translations are to be received by post
• Fee for a translation is Rs. 500.00 payable by cash.

• Eligibility                                             
  This service is being provided by the Registrar General s Department to the public at instances where either a Movable or an Immovable property being registered under a new owner.
  
  
• Instrument (Document)
  Instrument (Document) shall be prepared according to provisions of the Notaries ordinance and Registration ordinance and other related laws.
  
  

• Hours of business

  9.00 a.m to 15.45 p.m, except on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays
  
  

• Submission procedure

  Instrument (Document) should be tendered to the relevant Land Registry where the land is situated. Land or movable property situated in more districts than one may be presented for registration to the Registrar General. Instrument(Document) could be submitted on either of the following manners:

  a. Being submitted through post

  b. Being submitted by authorized person

  c. Being submitted through a notary/ legal firms
  
  

• Who may present document for registration
  
  • Any person executing the document
  • Any person claiming any interest or benefit thereunder
  • Any person having any interest in or charge on any property affected thereby
  • The agent of any such person or an attorney-at-law or notary acting on behalf any such person; letter of authority should be submit if the agent of any such person is presented document for registration

• Instrument (Document) Required
  • The original
  • Duly attested or certified copy

In the case of a will, the probate or letters of administration with a copy of a will annexed shall be presented for registration.

• Fee:

Registration fee can be paid in cash or should attached bank receipt which deposit fees to account No.  7041650 of Registrar General’s account through any branch of Bank of Ceylon

1. 1. Every instrument of any kind whatsoever not expressly exempted :- Rs. 100.00
   2. For each land described in the Caveat, for each period of two years:- Rs. 2500.00
   3. An instrument presented to the Registrar General, In addition to any other fee payable:- Rs. 1000.00
   4. Appropriate un-cancelled stamp has to be affixed according to other related laws
      
      

• Return of Instrument (Document)

To the person who presented document for registration or his agent

• Process Timeline:

Time of obtaining the registration: 1- 10 working days

• Steps

1. 1. Receive Instrument and registration fee
   2. Issue Day Book receipt and cash receipt
   3. Check compliance with related laws and regulations
   4. Register or refuse and endorse 
      
      

• Inquiries

Please contact Registrar of Lands in relevant land registry or Registrar General. (Please see contact information)