Benin Civil Registration

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Benin

Civil Registration

How to Find the Records

Online Collections

1802-1902: Registres de l'état civil de Saint-Benin-d'Azy (Nièvre) 1793-1862; tables décennales 1802-1902, Registres de l'état civil de Saint-Benin-d'Azy (Nièvre) 1793-1862; tables décennales 1802-1902 #605966–605972 at FamilySearch Catalog
1889-1918 French Overseas Civil Registration, Dahomey - images, French Overseas National Archives
1891-2014 Benin, Civil Registration of Deaths, 1891-2014 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and images

Offices to Contact

Certificates were recorded by the office in the location in which the event took place. If you know your ancestor's town, send your request to:^[1]

Mayor's Office of Prefecture

(Town), Benin

For additional questions or inquiries:

Archives Nationales du Bénin
Route de Missérété
face Ecole Régionale Supérieure de la Magistrature, Ouando
Porto-Novo
Benin

Mailing address:
629 Porto-Novo
Benin
Telephone: +229 20 24 66 07

Embassy of the Republic of Benin
2124 Kalorama Road, NW
Washington, DC 20008
USA
Telephone: 202-232-6656

Historical Background

Vital Registration (also known as Dahomey) began in Benin in 1933, but mostly pertained to French citizens and other foreigners.
By the year 1950, most residents within 15 miles of a registration center were included.
Benin became independent on 1 August 1960.^[2]

Coverage and Compliance

Population coverage: Estimated at 70% for the more recent time period.^[3]

Vital Registration (also known as Dahomey) began in Benin in 1933, but mostly pertained to French citizens and other foreigners.
By the year 1950, most residents within 15 miles of a registration center were included.

Information Recorded in the Records

Birth Records

Name
Birth date and place
Parents’ names
Father’s occupation and residence

Marriage Records

Names of bride and groom
Date and place of marriage
Names of parents

Death Records

Name of deceased
Date and place of death
Age
Residence at time of death
Occupation
Cause of death

References

↑ Thomas Jay Kemp, “International Vital Records Handbook, 5th Edition,” Genealogical Publishing Co, Inc. Baltimore : 2009.
↑ Thomas Jay Kemp, “International Vital Records Handbook, 5th Edition,” Genealogical Publishing Co, Inc. Baltimore : 2009.
↑ The Family History Department of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, “Family History Record Profile: Benin,” Word document, private files of the FamilySearch Content Strategy Team, 2001.

[1] Thomas Jay Kemp, “International Vital Records Handbook, 5th Edition,” Genealogical Publishing Co, Inc. Baltimore : 2009.

[2] Thomas Jay Kemp, “International Vital Records Handbook, 5th Edition,” Genealogical Publishing Co, Inc. Baltimore : 2009.

[profile-3] The Family History Department of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, “Family History Record Profile: Benin,” Word document, private files of the FamilySearch Content Strategy Team, 2001.

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