Civil Registry and Identification Service of Chile facts for kids
Government Logo.
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The main offices of the Civil Registry in Santiago. |
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| Civil registry overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | July 17, 1884 |
| Preceding Civil registry |
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| Jurisdiction |  Chile |
| Headquarters | Catedral 1772, Santiago, Chile |
| Employees | 3103 (2022) |
| Annual budget | 155 860 810 thousand Chilean pesos (2020) |
| Civil registry executive |
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| Parent department | Ministry of Justice and Human Rights |
| Child Civil registry | |
| Website | https://www.registrocivil.cl/ |
The Civil Registry and Identification Service (also known as SRCEI or simply the Civil Registry) is an important government office in Chile. Think of it as the official record-keeper for every person in the country. It's a public service that works under the direction of the President through the Ministry of Justice.
The Civil Registry handles many important tasks. It issues birth certificates when babies are born and death certificates when people pass away. It also provides certificates for marriages and civil unions.
One of its most well-known jobs is giving out identity cards (called cédula de identidad) and passports. These are official documents that prove who you are and allow you to travel to other countries. The service also keeps track of vehicle registrations and other legal records.
To serve everyone in Chile, the Civil Registry has over 470 offices, mobile service vans, and even a boat office called Civilsur. It also has 300 self-service kiosks where people can get documents quickly.
Contents
History of the Civil Registry
Early Records
Long ago, before 1884, the Catholic Church was in charge of keeping records. When a person was baptized, married, or died, a priest would write it down in the church's books. These were the only official records at the time.
A New System
On July 17, 1884, things changed. The President of Chile, Domingo Santa María, created the Civil Registry. This new government office took over the job of recording births, marriages, and deaths for all citizens. This was part of a series of changes to separate the government from the church.
Growing Responsibilities
As Chile grew, the Civil Registry was given more jobs. In 1924, a law was passed that made it mandatory for every citizen to have a personal identity card. This helped make sure everyone had an official form of identification.
In 1943, the Civil Registry also took over the job of issuing passports, which had been handled by the Investigations Police (PDI). This brought all major identification services together in one place.
Modern Technology
In the 1980s, the Civil Registry started using computers to store its records. This was a big step forward! In the 1990s, it focused on using new technology to make its services faster and easier for people to use.
Today, the Civil Registry is known for its modern systems. It has a large computer network that connects all its offices. In 2017, it introduced self-service kiosks in busy places like city halls and hospitals. These machines let people print official certificates on their own, making the process very convenient.
What Does the Civil Registry Keep Track Of?
The Civil Registry and Identification Service is in charge of many official lists, called registers. These registers help the government keep accurate information about people and property. Instead of a physical book, most of these registers are now digital databases.
Some of the most important registers include:
- Births, Marriages, and Deaths: The original registers created in 1884.
- Identity Cards and Passports: A record of every ID card and passport issued to Chilean citizens.
- Motor Vehicles: A list of all cars, trucks, and motorcycles registered in the country.
- Drivers: A register of everyone who has a license to drive.
- Professionals: A list of people with official professional titles, like doctors or engineers.
- Wills: A confidential register of people's last wills and testaments.
Helping Non-Profit Groups
The Civil Registry also manages the official list of non-profit organizations in Chile. These are groups like charities, foundations, and community clubs that work to help others, not to make money.
By registering with the Civil Registry, these groups become officially recognized. This allows them to apply for government funding and receive donations. The registration process helps make sure these organizations are properly set up and follow the rules.
See also
In Spanish: Servicio de Registro Civil e Identificación de Chile para niños
- Civil Registry
