Papua New Guinea Civil Registration

Offices to Contact
Location: National Archives and local civil registry offices.

Historical Background
Time period: 1884-present Prior to 1967 most entries are for non-natives. Records for the Territory of (German) New Guinea were destroyed during the Second World War, however, reconstructed registers were compiled afterwards. The available records have been indexed.

Coverage and Compliance
Population coverage before 1967 is 5%; after 1967 is 80%

Information Recorded in the Records
Births: Child’s name Birth date and place Parents’ names, residence, and occupation Witnesses’ ages, relationships, residences.

Marriages: Bride and groom names Ages Residences Occupations Marriage date and place Sometimes ages and/or birth dates and places Parents' names; residences, occupations Witnesses and officer who performed ceremony Former spouses

Death registers: Name of deceased Age Death date and place Occupation Name of surviving spouse Informant’s name and residence Cause of death Sometimes birth date and place Parents’ names Children’s names