Commonwealth Civil Registration Start Dates

From 1st July 1837, the registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages in England and Wales became the responsibility of the state, (although this wasn't compulsory until 1874). However, it took a while for the rest of the UK and Commonwealth to follow suit.

So far, I have found dates for the begining of civil registration for the following:

 Australia 

1838   Tasmania

1841   Western Australia

1842   South Australia

1842    Victoria

1856   New South Wales

1856   Queensland

1870  Northern Territory - Births only

1872   Northern Territory - Deaths and Marriages

1930    Australian Capital Territory

 Canada 

1864    Nova Scotia - doesn't cover Births and Deaths between 1876 and 1908

1869   Ontario

1870   North West Terriorries

1872   British Columbia

1878   Saskatchewan

1882   Manitoba

1888   New Brunswick

1891   Newfoundland

1897   Alberta

1898   Yukon

1906   Prince Edward Island

1926   Quebec

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Guernsey, Alderney and Sark

Guernsey

1840   Births, Deaths and non - Anglican Marriages

Alderney

1850   Births, Deaths and non - Anglican Marriages

Sark

1915   Deaths

Guernsey, Alderney and Sark

1919   Marriages

Guernsey, Alderney and Sark

1925   All Births, Deaths and Marriages

N.B. Until 1949 you may find a married woman's death recorded under her maiden name.

During World War Two many people left the Channel Islands for England, or were interned in Germany. Should you be unable to find a Birth, Death or Marriage during German occupation, copies of forms submitted for the issue of ID cards ( along with photographs ) are held in the Jersey and Guernsey archives respectively, and are a very good alternative as every Channel Islander had to carry one. Lists are also available of all those who were deported.

 

 Isle of Man 

1849   Births and Marriages - voluntary

1878   Births and Deaths - compulsory

1884   Marriages - compulsory

 Jersey 

1842   Births, Deaths and Marriages

New Zealand

1848   All Births, Deaths and Marriages - voluntary

1856   Births, Deaths and Marriages of Europeans - compulsory

1911   Marriages of Maoris - compulsory

1913   Births and Deaths of Maoris - compulsory

Scotland

1855   Births, Deaths and Marriages

 

 South Africa 

1820   Cape of Good Hope - Marriages (incomplete)

1895   Cape of Good Hope - All Births, Deaths and Marriages

1868   Natal

1901   Transvaal

1902   Orange Free State

1923   All Births, Deaths and Marriages for the whole of South Africa

N. B. Before 1923 records are held in provincial archives, after this date they are held centrally by the Department of Home Affairs.