Lesotho Civil Registration

Online Collections

 * 1828-2005: at FamilySearch; index & images
 * British Armed Forces and Overseas Births and Baptisms at Findmypast; index & images ($)
 * British Armed Forces and Overseas Banns and Marriages at Findmypast; index & images ($)

Offices to Contact
Ministry of Home Affairs Department of National Identity and Civil Registry Corner Moshoeshoe and Lerotholi Roads P.O. Box 174 Maseru, Lesotho

Telephone: +266 22215900 Email: [mailto:info.homeaffairs@gov.ls info.homeaffairs@gov.ls]

Historical Background
Lesotho was under British rule from 1869 to 1966. The official languages are Sesotho and English.

Coverage and Compliance
Legal ages for marriage is 21 years for both sexes. Exemptions: 16 years for females, 18 for males with parents’ or guardian’s consent.

44.5 percent of children under the age of 5 had their births registered in 2018. 38 percent of the deaths were registered in 2019.

Birth Records
Concerning the child:
 * Name
 * Date of birth
 * Gender
 * Place of birth]
 * Type of place (hospital, home, etc.)
 * Date of registration
 * Place of registration
 * Attendant at birth
 * Type of birth (single, twin, triplet and so forth)

Concerning the mother:
 * Place of usual residence
 * Place/country of birth
 * Marital status
 * Number of children born alive during her lifetime
 * Number of fetal deaths during her lifetime
 * Date of marriage

Concerning the father:
 * Date of birth or age
 * Marital status
 * Place of usual residence
 * Occupation
 * Date of marriage

Marriage Records
Regarding the spouses:
 * Date of birth or age of bride
 * Place of usual residence of bride
 * Date of birth or age of groom
 * Place of usual residence of groom
 * Occupations of bride and groom
 * Date of marriage
 * Date of registration
 * Place of marriage
 * Place of registration

Death Records

 * Name
 * Gender
 * Date of birth or age
 * Marital status
 * Place of usual residence
 * Place of usual residence of the mother (for deaths under 1 year of age)
 * Date of death
 * Place of death
 * Type of place of death (hospital, home, etc.)
 * Date of registration
 * Place of registration
 * Cause of death

Concerning fetal deaths:
 * Date of fetal delivery
 * Date of registration
 * Place of occurrence
 * Place of registration
 * Type of place (hospital, home, etc.)
 * Sex of the fetus
 * Date of birth or age of the mother
 * Children born alive to the mother during her lifetime
 * Fetal deaths to the mother during her lifetime
 * Date of previous live birth to the mother