Hungary Civil Registration

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Introduction

Civil Registration [Állami anyakönyvek] refers to records of births, marriages, and deaths maintained by civil authorities. One of the main reasons for the introduction of Hungarian civil registration in 1895 was the conflict in the late 1800s over the baptism of children of mixed marriages.

Time period

Hungarian Civil registration began on October 1, 1895 and continues to the present.

Contents

Births: name of child, date of entry, place and date of birth; names, ages and residence of parents; until 1948, also the religion of parents, names of witnesses.

Marriages: date and place of marriage; names, occupations, dates and places of birth and residences of groom and bride; names and residences of parents and witnesses; until 1948, also the religion.

Deaths: name, occupation, residence and age of the deceased; dates of death and burial; names of surviving spouse and parents; place and cause of death; until 1948, also the religion.

The format varies slightly over time: prior to 1907 records were kept with a single event per page, beginning with 1907 the format is tabular with many events listed on the same page (examples of both appear below).

Location

The originals of these registers are kept at Civil Registrars’ offices [anyakönyvi hivatal] in town halls [Állami Nyilvan tartási Hivatal]. Up to 1980 the registrars’ offices sent transcripts of these volumes to the county archives, or, in the case of Budapest, to the municipal archives

Research use

Establish individual identity. Excellent for family and relationship linkage. They identify names of parents, prove other relationships, and are very useful for linking generations.

Accessibility

Some information can be obtained by correspondence or by visit if proof of relationship is given.

Hungary’s so-called “personality law” prohibits archives from providing access to birth registers for 90 years, marriage registers for 60 years, and death registers for 30 years.

Types of civil registration records

Birth Civil Registration Record Translation (pre-1907)

Hungarian birth civil registration records were recorded on pre-printed standard civil registration forms. Small variations may accur in different areas of the country. A translation of this form will help you in reading the birth civil registration record.

Number:

Place: Date:

The person who came to announce the birth:

Occupation: Residence:

Father:

Name: Religion: Occupation: Residence: Birthplace: Age:

Mother:

Name: Maiden Name: Religion: Occupation: Residence: Birthplace: Age:

The Birth:

Place: Date: Time:

The child:

Gender: Religion: Name:

Comments:

(signature of the Registrar)
(signature of the Announcer)

This is an official copy of the original copy. Place and Date:
(signature of the Registrar)

Marriage Civil Registration Record Translation (post-1907)

Hungarian marriage civil registration records were recorded on pre-printed standard civil registration forms. Small variations may accur in different areas of the country. A translation of this form will help you in reading the marriage civil registration record.

Number:

Place: Date:

The named parties appeared before the undersigned registrar to enter into marriage:

1. The Groom:

Religion: Occupation: Residence:

Birth Information:

Place: Date:

Father:

Name: Occupation: Residence:

Mother:

Name: Occupation: Residence:

2. The Bride:

Religion: Occupation: Residence:

Birth Information:

Place: Date:

Father:

Name: Occupation: Residence:

Mother:

Name: Occupation: Residence:

3. The First Witness:

Occupation: Residence: Age:

4. The Second Witness:

Occupation: Residence: Age:

The bride and groom appeared before the registrar to enter into marriage. The bride and groom arrived separately with the witnesses. The registrar joined the bride and groom in marriage in accordance with the law.

Comments:

(the first witness' signature)
(the second witness' signature)
(the husband's signature)
(the wife's signature)
(signature of Registrar)

This is an official copy of the original marriage certificate. Place and Date:
(signature of the Registrar)

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  Budapest left side

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  Budapest right side

Death Civil Registration Record Translation (pre-1907)

Hungarian death civil registration records were recorded on pre-printed standard civil registration forms. Small variations may accur in different areas of the country. A translation of this form will help you in reading the death civil registration record.

Number:

Place: Date:

The person who came to announce the death:

Occupation: Residence:

The deceased person:

Name: Religion: Occupation: Residence: Birthplace: Age: Spouse=s Name: Father=s Name, Occupation, and Residence: Mother=s Name, Occupation, and Residence:

The death:

Place: Date: Time: Cause:

Comments:

(signature of the Registrar)
(signature of the Announcer)

This is an official copy of the original copy. Place and Date:
(signature of the Registrar)

To see an actual example of the Hungarian civil registration records do to http://www.bogardi.com/gen/g072.htm

Budapest civil registration

Civil registration records from Budapest are now available on FamilySearch website. To browse the collection click here.