Democratic Republic of the Congo Civil Registration

Civil registration
Civil registration is a primary source for birth, marriage, and death information about people and links them to their families.

For the Democratic Republic of the Congo, civil registration is available from about 1900 to the present.

SEE UNICEF Democratic-Republic of the Congo

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.

National Archives of Belgium and State Archives of Belgium Rue de Ruysbroeck 2 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium Telephone: +32 2 513 76 80 Website: State Archives of Belgium

Historical Background
1908 became part of Belgium and was called the Belgian Congo. Some of the civil registration records from 1908 to 1960 may be in the Belgian National Archives.

June 30, 1960, it became the Democratic Republic of the Congo, then Zaire, then the National Archives of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Civil registration stored in the National Archives. 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.