Summary

Civil and Family Registration Proclamation No. 1370/2025 creates a structured and technology-supported civil registration system in Ethiopia, requiring timely and accurate recording of vital events such as births and deaths. It defines where and how registration is conducted, sets strict deadlines, ensures data security and duplication, and introduces modern record management (including digital systems). The law also provides special procedures for events occurring in unique contexts (ships, refugees, military) and emphasizes reliability, legal validity, and national data use.

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Key Words

Civil registration, Family registration, Vital events registration, Birth registration, Marriage registration, Divorce registration, Death registration, Adoption registration, Acknowledgment (paternity/maternity), Civil status records, Registrar / civil registrar, Proof of civil status, Certification / certificates,

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Purpose

To establish a compulsory, accessible, and comprehensive system for registering vital events (births, marriages, divorces, deaths) and family units for:

• Legal purposes
• Administrative use
• National statistics

It replaces the previous Vital Events Registration and National ID Proclamation (No. 760/2012).

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Key Institutions and Registration System:

• Institutions:
• Immigration and Citizenship Service (the Service): The main federal body responsible for leading, coordinating, and managing civil and family registration, including a national database.
• Officer of Civil Status: The official at the lowest administrative level (or in health facilities, courts, Ethiopian missions, ships, etc.) who performs registrations and issues certificates.

• Registration System

• All vital events must be officially registered in a civil status register.
• Registration must be accurate, complete, and recorded only once.

• Where Registration Takes Place

• At:
  • Place of residence of the declarant, or
  • Place where the event occurred
• Special cases:
  • Ships → captain acts as registrar
  • Refugees → handled by Refugees & Returnees Service
• Military → Ministry of Defense registers deaths

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Scope

Applies to all Ethiopians and foreign residents in Ethiopia.

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Registration Deadlines

Civil Registration (Birth, Marriage, Divorce, Death)

Vital Event	Registration Deadline (from occurrence)	Key Notes
Birth	90 days	Parents/guardians must register. Health facilities must notify.
Death	30 days	Declared by a person living with the deceased, relatives, or police (if unknown identity).
Marriage	30 days	Can be registered by one spouse or a representative. Religious/customary marriages require evidence from the officiant/elders.
Divorce	30 days	Requires a court decision (regular or sharia).

• Late registration is possible with a valid reason and payment of a fee.
• Registration places: Principal residence, place of occurrence, health facilities, courts, Ethiopian missions, refugee centers, or military units.

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Registration Procedure

• Declarant must:
  • Appear in person before registrar
• Registrar must:
  • Record details
  • Ensure the declarant confirms accuracy

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Certificates & Fees

• Free if registered within the legal deadline.
• Fee required for late registration or replacement of lost/damaged certificates.
• Marriage and divorce certificates are issued in two copies (one for each spouse/partner).

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Family Registration

• Every Ethiopian and permanent foreign resident must register their family members (by blood, marriage, or adoption living in one household).
• Registration must occur within 90 days of the start of registration in the area or when a new member joins.
• Contents include: full name, birth date, residence, marital status, occupation, nationality, Digital ID number, and family relationship.

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Corrections of Records

• Clerical errors: Can be corrected by the officer of civil status.
• Other errors (substantive): Only possible through a court decision.

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Data Privacy & Security

• Personal information cannot be disclosed without consent, except by law or court order.
• Data must be protected against cyber threats, theft, and natural or man-made damage.

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Repeals & Transition

• Repeals Proclamation No. 760/2012 (as amended).
• Previous civil registrations and certificates remain valid if not contrary to this new law.
• The Service must set up a system to register backlogs (events not recorded under previous laws).

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Effective Date

March 18, 2025 (date of publication in the Federal Negarit Gazette).