Guatemala Civil Registration

Definition
Civil registration is the records of births, marriages, and deaths that are kept by the government, rather than by a church.

Time Coverage
Civil registration of births, marriages, and deaths began in 1877.

Births (nacimientos)

 * Guatemala Civil Registration (FamilySearch Historical Records)

Marriages (matrimonios, casamientos)

 * Guatemala Civil Registration (FamilySearch Historical Records)

Deaths (defunciones)

 * Guatemala Civil Registration (FamilySearch Historical Records)

Search Strategies
To effectively use civil records, follow these steps:


 * 1) Search for the relative or ancestor you have selected. When you find the person’s birth record, search for the births of his or her brothers and sisters.
 * 2) Search for the marriage of his or her parents. The marriage record will often give you information that leads to the parents’ birth record.
 * 3) Estimate the parents’ age and search for their birth records.
 * 4) Repeat the process for both the father and mother.
 * 5) If earlier generations are not in the record, search neighboring municipios.
 * 6) Search the death records for all family members.