Vanuatu Civil Registration

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Vanuatu

Civil Registration

Resources

Online Resources

• 1900-2001 Vanuatu, Vital Records, 1900-2001 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
• 1898-1915: French Overseas New Hebrides Civil Registration and Parish Registers, Vanuatu at Archivesnationales; index & images
• British Armed Forces and Overseas Births and Baptisms at Findmypast - index & images ($)

Offices to Contact

Records can be found at local and national civil registry offices.

Vanuatu Civil Registration and Vital Statistics
Independence Park
PMB 9054
Port Vila, Vanuatu

Telephone: +678 25303 | VoIP: 2983
Email: crvs@vanuatu.gov.vu

Background

New Hebrides became Vanuatu in 1980.

New Hebrides was ruled by both the French and British from 1906 to 1980. Because of this: "There were two police forces with their own laws, including road laws, two health services, two education systems, two currencies, and two prison systems."[Harewood, J.; Chinula, T.; Talbot, V.; Carillet, J.-B.; Sorokin, M. (2006). Vanuatu and New Caledonia (1st ed.). Singapore: Lonely Planet.]

Additionally, there were separate British and French governments, which meant two immigration policies, two courts (apart from the Joint Court), and two corporation laws. Inhabitants of the islands were given the choice of which government they wanted to be ruled by.

Civil registration began late in Melanesia as compared to other areas of the world, but for genealogical purposes, it is the most complete source.

Information Recorded in the Records

Birth Records

Concerning the child:

• Name of child
• Date and place of birth

Concerning the parents:

• Names
• Usual residence
• Occupation
• Age or birth date
• Place of birth
• Names of their parents
• Marital status

Other information:

• Date and place of registration
• Names of witnesses with their birth dates

Marriage Records

• Names of bride and groom
• Birth dates and places
• Occupations
• Date of marriage
• Place of marriage
• Names of parents
• Names and residences of witnesses

Death Records

• Name of deceased
• Date of death
• Names parents
• Occupation and religious preference of parents
• Name of informant
• Place of residence of the deceased
• Age at death
• Cause of death
• Place of burial