Democratic Republic of the Congo Civil Registration

Civil registration
Research use: A primary source for family linking information.

Time period: 1900 to present.

Offices to Contact
The National Archives of the Democratic Republic of Congo 42 / A, Justice Avenue Commune of Gombe Kinshasa Website: The National Archives of the Democratic Republic of Congo

Some civil registration records are also in regional archives and in Belgium.

Historical Background
Proclaimed an independent state in 1885, the Congo Free State was successor to the International Association of the Congo.

It was annexed to Belgium in 1908 as the Belgian Congo. Some of the civil registration records from 1908 to 1960 may be in the Belgian National Archives.

On June 30, 1960, it became the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with the capitol at Leopoldville.

On October 27, 1971, its names was changed to Zaire, with the capitol at Kinshasha (formerly Leopoldville).

Name changed again in 1997 to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Reference: FamilySearch Catalog Congo (Democratic Republic)

Coverage and Compliance
From 1900 to 1930, civil registration covers:


 * 50% of the Belgians
 * 20% of Zairians

After 1930, civil registration covers:
 * 75% of the Belgians
 * 50% of the Zairians

These percentages are estimates only.

Birth

 * Name
 * Birth date and place
 * Parents’ names
 * Father’s occupation and residence
 * Sometimes age of mother

Marriage

 * Name of bride
 * Name of groom
 * Date and place of marriage
 * Father's name for both bride and groom
 * Mother’s name for both bride and groom
 * Age
 * Place of birth
 * Residence
 * Occupation
 * Names of witnesses

Death

 * Name of deceased
 * Death date
 * Burial date
 * Age
 * Residence at time of death
 * Occupation
 * Cause of death

Reliability: Excellent.