The Civil Status Registry has earned high praise from Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Kenny D. Anthony, after Registry reports indicated that between March and July 2014, a total of 2,096 rectifications were done.

In some instances, rectifications were outstanding for more than four years and the applicants had given up the hope that their certificates would be rectified.

Of the 2096 rectifications, a significant number of the certificates were processed and collected on the same day. The volume of applications for rectifications continue to be high and so too has been the application for vital records.

“There has been a marked improvement in the service and output at the Registry of Civil Status, since the legislative changes introduced by Parliament in April 2014,” the Prime Minister said. “The amendments to the Civil Status Act, the Civil Code Act and the Code of Civil Procedure Amendment Act, conferred greater discretion to adjudicators, to resolve errors on civil status records.”

Dr. Anthony added that he was pleased that the changes have borne fruit. While there may be a few lingering issues, the Prime Minister said he is satisfied with the output and the significant reduction in the waiting period for the collection of certificates.

“Many citizens felt almost helpless when errors were found on their certificates,” he said. “Significant effort has gone into restructuring the Registry. We have changed locations to make all of the services available in the same building, we have employed more individuals to receive and process applications and we have made the legislative changes to deal with the current realties. 

“I am pleased that these investments have led to an improvement in service. I am particularly pleased that Registry is now equipped to receive, process and deliver certain categories of certificates on the same day. The collection rates indicate that when citizens go to apply for vital records, it is because they need it. In most cases, it is needed to apply for new passports.

I wish to commend the staff of the Civil Status Registry for a job well done.”

The applications and collections unit of the Civil Status Registry is open for business from 7:30 a.m. daily, in an effort to receive and deliver as many applications as possible.