British Indian Ocean Territory Civil Registration

Offices to Contact
The people native to this island were part of Mauritius, and many now live on Mauritius. Therefore to find civil registration for these people, see Mauritius Civil Registration.

Historical Background
The Chagos Archipelago in the Indian Ocean was part of Mauritius. For about 150 years, it was inhabited by Chagossians. In 1965, it was bought by Britain from Mauritius for military purposes and became a British colony called the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT). Mauritius still claims these islands and her claim is recognized by the United Nations.

In 2018, the only inhabitants were about 3,000 US and British military personnel and contractors. Previously the BIOT was inhabited by about 2,000 people (Chagossians), who were removed between 1967-1973 to Mauritius and Seychelles.