Nicaragua Civil Registration - FamilySearch Historical Records

Title in the Language of the Records
Registro Civil del Departamento de Managua, Nicaragua

Collection Time Period
This collection of civil records from Managua, Nicaragua, includes the years 1879 to 1994.

Record Description
These civil records include birth, marriages, and death from the Department of Managua, Nicaragua.

Record Content
The key genealogical facts found in most birth records are: 
 * Date and place of the event
 * Name of the principal
 * Gender of principal and date of birth
 * Legitimacy
 * Parents' names, residence, and/or place of origin
 * Names of witnesses

The key genealogical facts found in most marriage records are: 
 * Date and place of the event
 * Names of the bride and groom
 * Their civil statuses (widowed, single, divorced) at the time of the event
 * Place of origin and residence of the bride and groom
 * Names of parents
 * Name of witnesses

The key genealogical facts found in most death records are: 
 * Place and date of the event
 * Place and date of death
 * Name of the principal (deceased)
 * Civil status of principal at time of death
 * Civil status and name of spouse, if married at time of death
 * Parents' names
 * Sometimes place of burial

How to Use the Records
The civil registration records in Nicaragua are an excellent source for genealogical research after 1879. Before this year, it is suggested to research in the Catholic Church parish records.

Record History
Before the government instituted civil registration in Nicaragua, the Catholic Church was the only institution tracking the births, marriages, and deaths events of the population. The first civil registration law was created on January 30, 1879 with the name of “Reglamento para el Registro del Estado Civil de las Personas” (Regulation for the Registration of the Civil Status of the People), which stated the general procedures of the institution. A civil registration office was established in each city, town, and villa of the country. The Mayor was assigned as the responsible party for the civil registration within his jurisdiction. He could name a custodian officer, who would be responsible in creating separate registers of births, marriages, deaths, and reasons for the civil status only within their jurisdiction. In 1899, this law was modified to include other civil registration events such as: the recognition of illegitimate children, emancipation and age majority declarations, divorces, annulments, absentee declarations, and others. The registers of the Catholic Church created before this law were transferred to the municipality for control.

These civil records of the Department of Managua have been preserved relatively well. Some of the older registers may have some physical damage; however, in general they are still in good condition to extract genealogical information.

Civil registration is mandatory in Nicaragua; therefore most of the population has been registered. This collection only includes the civil registration records of the Department of Managua, which includes the municipalities (municipios) of San Francisco Libre, Ciudad Sandino, El Crucero, Tipitapa, Managua, San Rafael del Sur, Villa Carlos Fonseca, Mateare, and Ticuantepe.

Why This Collection Was Created
The civil registration in Nicaragua was created to record the events of birth, marriage, death, and other civil events, which would determine and prove the civil status, existence, and condition of the population.

Record Reliability
The civil registration records are the most reliable source for doing genealogical research in Nicaragua.

Related Web Sites
Cyndi's List - Central South America

Related Wiki Articles
Nicaragua

Citing FamilySearch Historical Collections
When you copy information from a record, you should also list where you found the information. This will help you or others to find the record again. It is also good to keep track of records where you did not find information, including the names of the people you looked for in the records.

A suggested format for keeping track of records that you have searched is found in the Wiki Article: Help:How to Create Source Citations For FamilySearch Historical Records Collections.

Examples of Source Citations for a Record in This Collection
"Nicaragua, Managua, Civil Registration, 1879-2007." index and images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org: accessed 31 March 2011. entry for Denis Manuel Chavez, born 26 February 1944; citing Civil Registrations, digital folder 004,192,700, image 00440; Asociacion de Municipios de Nicaragua.

Sources of Information for This Collection:
"Nicaragua, Managua, Civil Registration, 1879-2007," index and images, FamilySearch; from Asociación de Municipios de Nicaragua. Digital images of originals housed at various municipal archives throughout Nicaragua. FHL microfilm. Family History Library, Salt lake City, Utah. USA.