Suriname Civil Registration

Suriname

Civil Registration

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How to Find the Records

Online Collections

• 1688-1960 - National Archives, The Hague, The Netherlands, Civil Registry of Suriname.
• Birth Certificates
• British Armed Forces and Overseas Births and Baptisms at Findmypast - index & images ($)
• British Armed Forces and Overseas Banns and Marriages at Findmypast - index & images ($)
• British Armed Forces and Overseas Deaths and Burials at Findmypast - index & images ($)

Offices to Contact

The vital events in Suriname are registered by the Central Office for Civil Registry and her field-offices. There are 10 districts with 42 field offices across the whole country.

Nationaal Archief Suriname (National Archives Suriname)
Jagernath Lachmonstraat #174
Paramaribo, Suriname

Telephone reading room: +597 430035 extension 106
Email: studyingzaal@nationaalarchief.sr

Telephone: +597 430035
Fax: +597 430040
Email: info@nationaalarchief.sr

Historical Background

In 1828, a civil registry was started. At first the Civil Registry was not for the entire population.
Until July 1, 1863, people in slavery were noted in the separate slave register.
Most of the people of the interior were not included until after WWII.
For a long time, the civil servants only worked in the old colonial area: Paramaribo and the current districts of Wanica, Para, Commewijne, Saramacca, Coronie and Nickerie.
Maroons and indigenous people were only registered if they had a child or died in those districts, or if they married someone who was already registered.

Paramaribo's birth certificates are currently available for the period 1828-1921. Because very few free people lived outside Paramaribo before July 1, 1863, the birth certificates of the districts from the period between 1828 and 1863 have also been included in the Paramaribo registers.

Coverage and Compliance

Birth certificates, 1828-1921, mainly have certificates from Paramaribo.

National Archives of Suriname, Inhabitants of Suriname, 1688-1960. Includes civil records and censuses. Duplicates of the birth, marriage, divorce, and death records are at the National Archives in the Hague listed above.

Information Recorded in the Records

Birth Certificates (Deeds)

• Name of child
• Place of birth
• Date of birth
• Name of father
• Name of mother
• Name of declarant
• Name of witness

Marriage Records

• Names of bride and groom
• Place of marriage
• Date of marriage

Death Records

• Name of deceased
• Place of death
• Date of death
• Residence of the deceased