Libya Civil Registration

Offices to Contact
The main office of the Civil Registry Documents and Access is in Tripoli.

"...each municipality has a civil registration office where birth, marriage, divorce and death must be registered".

Marriages and divorces are also kept by the religious law courts.

For additional help, contact:
 * Embassy of Libya
 * 1460 Dahlia St NW
 * Washington, DC 20012


 * Telephone: (202) 944-9601

Historical Background
The Ottomans took control of Libya in 1551. Slaves from Europe and many Blacks slaves from Sudan were sent to Tripoli. In 1551, almost the entire population (about 5,000 people) of the Maltese island of Gozo were sent to Libya as slaves. Italy ruled Libya from 1912-1943. From 1943 to 1951, the Allies (British and French) occupied Libya. Libya declared independence 24 December 1951.

Coverage and Compliance
"The minimum age for marriage is 18 for both men and women, although judges may permit those younger than 18 to marry."

A 1991report

Birth Records

 * Name of child
 * Names of parents
 * Date
 * Place
 * Nationality of parents
 * Religion of parents
 * If born outside of a hospital, two witnesses are needed

Marriage Records

 * Date of marriage
 * Date of registration
 * Place of marriage
 * Type of marriage
 * Age of the bride and groom
 * Marital status
 * Place of usual residence

Divorce Records

 * Date of marriage
 * Date of registration
 * Place of marriage
 * Type of marriage
 * Age of the bride and groom
 * Marital status
 * Place of usual residence
 * Number of dependent children
 * Duration of marriage

Death Records

 * Name of deceased
 * Date of death
 * Place of death
 * Cause of death
 * Occupation if over 15 years old