Civil Registration Act 2004

Civil Registration Act 2004 Skip to content Disclaimer Feedback Helpdesk Gaeilge Léim go dtí an t-ábhar Séanadh Aiseolas Deasc chabhrach English Gaeilge English Produced by the Office of the Attorney General Táirgthe ag Oifig an Ard-Aighne Home Legislation Acts of the Oireachtas Statutory Instruments Pre-1922 Legislation Constitution External Resources Bills (Houses of the Oireachtas) Iris Oifigiúil / Official Gazette Revised Acts (LRC) Classified List of Legislation (LRC) Translations (acts.ie) Translations (Houses of the Oireachtas) Government Publications for Sale EU Law (EUR-Lex) FAQ Disclaimer Feedback Helpdesk Search Baile Reachtaíocht Achtanna an Oireachtais Ionstraimí Reachtúla Reachtaíocht Réamh-1922 Bunreacht Acmhainní Seachtracha Billí (Tithe an Oireachtais) Iris Oifigiúil Achtanna Athbhreithnithe (CAD) (An Coimisiún um Athchóiriú an Dlí) Liosta Rangaithe Reachtaíochta Aistriúcháin (achtanna.ie) Aistriúcháin (Tithe an Oireachtais) Foilseacháin Rialtais ar Díol Dlí AE (EUR-Lex) CCanna (Ceisteanna Coitianta) Séanadh Aiseolas Deasc chabhrach Cuardach TitleTeideal Year(s) or rangeBliain nó blianta nó raon TypeCineál All Legislation Acts Statutory Instruments Advanced SearchCuardach Casta HomeBaile ActsAchtanna 2004 Civil Registration Act 2004 Civil Registration Act 2004 Permanent Page URL View by SectionAmharc de réir Ailt View Full ActAmharc ar an Acht Iomlán Bill History Stair Bille Commencement, Amendments, SIs made under the Act Tosach Feidhme, Leasuithe, IRí arna ndéanamh faoin Acht Revised Act Acht Athbh… Open PDFOscail PDF Print Full ActPriontáil an tAcht Iomlán Number 3 of 2004 CIVIL REGISTRATION ACT 2004 ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS PART 1 Preliminary and General Section 1. Short title and commencement. 2. Interpretation. 3. Regulations. 4. Repeals. 5. Transitional provisions. 6. Expenses of Minister and Minister for Finance. PART 2 Administration 7. Ard-Chláraitheoir. 8. Functions of Ard-Chláraitheoir. 9. Ard-Chláraitheoir Cúnta. 10. Staff of Ard-Chláraitheoir. 11. Annual report. 12. Oifig an Ard-Chláraitheora. 13. Registers. 14. Schemes. 15. Local registration authorities. 16. Financial provisions relating to authorities. 17. Staff of authorities. PART 3 Registration of Births and Stillbirths 18. “the register” (Part 3). 19. Provision of particulars, and registration, of births. 20. Births occurring more than 12 months before registration. 21. Duty to notify registrar of abandoned new-born children. 22. Registration of father where parents not married. 23. Re-registration of birth to include name of father. 24. Re-registration of births of legitimated persons. 25. Registration, or alteration, of forename of child. 26. Registration of births outside State of children of Irish citizens domiciled in State. 27. Recording and registration of certain other births occurring outside State. 28. Registration of stillbirths. 29. Registration of stillbirths that occurred before 31 December 1994. 30. Duty to notify Ard-Chláraitheoir of births and stillbirths. PART 4 Registration of Adoptions 31. Definitions (Part 4). 32. Registration of adoptions. 33. Registration of foreign adoptions. 34. Directions of High Court in relation to entries in register in respect of foreign adoptions. 35. Privacy of adoption records. PART 5 Registration of Deaths 36. “the register” (Part 5). 37. Provision of particulars, and registration, of deaths. 38. Registration of deaths occurring outside State of Irish citizens domiciled in State. 39. Recording and registration of certain other deaths occurring outside State. 40. Registration after more than 12 months from death. 41. Furnishing of particulars of death by a coroner to registrar. 42. Certificate of cause of death. 43. Place of death. 44. Power of coroner to authorise disposal of bodies. PART 6 Amendment of Law Relating to Marriages 45. Definitions (Part 6). 46. Notification of marriages. 47. Exemption of certain marriages from section 46(1)(a)(i). 48. Marriage registration form. 49. Registration of marriages. 50. Non-receipt of marriage registration form by registrar. 51. Solemnisation of marriages. 52. Places and times for the solemnisation of marriages. 53. Register of Solemnisers. 54. Application by bodies for registration of persons. 55. Cancellation of registration. 56. Appeals against refusals or cancellations of registration. 57. Temporary authorisation to solemnise marriage. 58. Objections. PART 7 Registration of Decrees of Divorce and Decrees of Nullity 59. Registration of decrees of divorce and decrees of nullity. PART 8 General 60. Appeals. 61. Searches. 62. Search of register of stillbirths. 63. Correction of errors at request of persons having an interest. 64. Corrections or cancellations of entries at request of Ard-Chláraitheoir or a registrar. 65. Enquiries by Ard-Chláraitheoir. 66. Power of Ard-Chláraitheoir to give information to others. 67. Fees. 68. Evidence of births, stillbirths and deaths. 69. Offences. 70. Penalties. 71. Prosecution of offences. 72. Service etc., of documents. 73. Vital statistics. FIRST SCHEDULE Particulars to be Entered in Registers PART 1 Particulars to be Entered in Register of Births PART 2 Particulars to be Entered in Register of Stillbirths PART 3 Particulars of Adoptions within the State to be Entered in Register of Adoptions PART 4 Particulars of Foreign Adoptions to be Entered in Register of Adoptions PART 5 Particulars of Deaths to be Entered in Register of Deaths PART 6 Particulars of Decrees of Divorce to be Entered in Register of Decrees of Divorce PART 7 Particulars of Decrees of Nullity of Marriage to be Entered in Register of Decrees of Nullity SECOND SCHEDULE Enactments Repealed ACTS REFERRED TO Adoption Act 1952 1952, No. 25 Adoption Act 1991 1991, No. 14 Adoption Acts 1952 to 1998 Army Pensions Acts 1923 to 1980 Births and Deaths Registration Act (Ireland) 1880 1880, c. 13 Births and Deaths Registration Acts 1863 to 1996 Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1972 1972, No. 25 Capital Acquisitions Tax Consolidation Act 2003 2003, No. 1 Civil Service Regulation Acts 1956 to 1996 Coroners Act 1962 1962, No. 9 Data Protection Acts 1988 and 2003 Defence (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 1960 1960, No. 44 Defence Forces (Pensions) Acts 1932 to 1975 Electoral Act 1992 1992, No. 23 Electronic Commerce Act 2000 2000, No. 27 Family Law Act 1995 1995, No. 26 Family Law (Divorce) Act 1996 1996, No. 33 Garda Síochána Act 1989 1989, No. 1 Health Act 1947 1947, No. 28 Health Act 1970 1970, No. 1 Health (Eastern Regional Health Authority) Act 1999 1999, No. 13 Housing Act 1966 1966, No. 21 Housing Acts 1966 to 2002 Legitimacy Act 1931 1931, No. 13 Legitimacy Declaration Act (Ireland) 1868 1868, c. 20 Marriage Act 1835 5 & 6 Will 4., c. 54 Marriage Law (Ireland) Amendment Act 1863 26 Vict., c. 27 Marriage Law (Ireland) Amendment Act 1873 36 & 37 Vict., c. 16 Marriage of Lunatics Act 1811 51 Geo 3., c. 37 Marriage (Prohibited Degrees of Relationship) Acts 1907 and 1921 Marriage (Society of Friends) Act 1860 23 & 24 Vict., c. 18 Marriage (Society of Friends) Act 1872 35 & 36 Vict., c. 10 Marriages Act 1936 1936, No. 47 Marriages Act 1972 1972, No. 30 Marriages (Ireland) Act 1844 1844, c. 81 Marriages (Ireland) Act 1846 9 & 10 Vict., c. 72 Matrimonial Causes and Marriage Law (Ireland) Amendment Act 1870 33 & 34 Vict., c. 110 Matrimonial Causes and Marriage Law (Ireland) Amendment Act 1871 1871, c. 49 Medical Practitioners Act 1978 1978, No. 4 Mercantile Marine Act 1955 1955, No. 29 Merchant Shipping Act 1894 57 & 58 Vict. c. 60 Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act 1851 1851, c. 93 Planning and Development Act 2000 2000, No. 30 Registration of Births Act 1996 1996, No. 36 Registration of Births and Deaths Act 1936 1936, No. 34 Registration of Births and Deaths (Ireland) Act 1863 1863, c. 11 Registration of Marriages Act 1936 1936, No. 35 Registration of Marriages (Ireland) Act 1863 1863, c. 90 Road Traffic Act 1961 1961, No. 24 Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 1993 1993, No. 27 Stamp Duties Consolidation Act 1999 1999, No. 31 Status of Children Act 1987 1987, No. 26 Stillbirths Registration Act 1994 1994, No. 1 Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 1997, No. 39 Vital Statistics and Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1952 1952, No. 8 Number 3 of 2004 CIVIL REGISTRATION ACT 2004 AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR THE REORGANISATION, MODERNISATION AND NAMING OF THE SYSTEM (TO BE KNOWN AS THE CIVIL REGISTRATION SERVICE OR, IN THE IRISH LANGUAGE, AN tSEIRBHÍS UM CHLÁRÚ SIBHIALTA) OF REGISTRATION OF BIRTHS, STILLBIRTHS, ADOPTIONS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS (INCLUDING CERTAIN BIRTHS AND DEATHS OCCURRING OUTSIDE THE STATE), TO PROVIDE FOR THE EXTENSION OF THE SYSTEM TO DECREES OF DIVORCE AND DECREES OF NULLITY OF MARRIAGE AND FOR THOSE PURPOSES TO REVISE THE LAW RELATING TO THE SYSTEM, TO AMEND THE LAW RELATING TO MARRIAGES AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS. [27th February, 2004] BE IT ENACTED BY THE OIREACHTAS AS FOLLOWS: PART 1 Preliminary and General Short title and commencement. 1.—(1) This Act may be cited as the Civil Registration Act 2004. (2) This Act shall come into operation on such day or days as the Minister may appoint by order or orders either generally or with reference to any particular purpose or provision and different days may be so appointed for different purposes or different provisions, including the application of section 4 to different statutory provisions specified in the Second Schedule. Interpretation. 2.—(1) In this Act, except where the context otherwise requires— “the Act of 1844” means the Marriages (Ireland) Act 1844; “the Act of 1863” means the Registration of Births and Deaths (Ireland) Act 1863; “the Acts” means the Births and Deaths Registration Acts 1863 to 1996; “adoption” means adoption under the Adoption Acts 1952 to 1998 (other than a foreign adoption); “Ard-Chláraitheoir” shall be construed in accordance with section 7 ; “authorised officer” shall be construed in accordance with section 17 (10); “authority” shall be construed in accordance with section 15 and, in relation to a scheme, means the authority that approved the scheme; “birth” does not include stillbirth; “Civil Registration Service” shall be construed in accordance with section 8 ; “civil servant” has the meaning assigned to it by the Civil Service Regulation Acts 1956 to 1996; “decree of divorce” and “decree of nullity” have the meanings assigned to them by the Family Law (Divorce) Act 1996 ; “event” means a birth, stillbirth, adoption, foreign adoption, marriage, death, decree of divorce or decree of nullity, occurring or granted anywhere in the State or a birth to which section 26 or 27 applies or a death to which section 38 or 39 applies and includes a birth, stillbirth, adoption, foreign adoption, marriage or death that could have been, but was not, registered in a register formerly maintained under the repealed enactments; “foreign adoption” has the meaning assigned to it by section 1 of the Adoption Act 1991 ; “functions” includes powers and duties and references to the performance of functions include, as respects powers and duties, references to the exercise of the powers and the carrying out of the duties; “health board” includes an Area Health Board within the meaning of the Health (Eastern Regional Health Authority) Act 1999 ; “Minister” means Minister for Health and Children; “Oifig an Ard-Chláraitheora” shall be construed in accordance with section 12 ; “personal public service number” has the meaning assigned to it by the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 1993 ; “prescribed” means prescribed by regulations made by the Minister; “qualified informant” in relation to a birth or death, shall be construed in accordance with section 19 or 37, as may be appropriate; “registered medical practitioner” means a person who is registered or entitled to be registered in the General Register of Medical Practitioners established under section 26 of the Medical Practitioners Act 1978 ; “registrar”— (a) in relation to a marriage or intended marriage or the register of marriages, means a registrar within the meaning of section 17 , (b) in relation to a birth or stillbirth, a newborn child found abandoned or a death or the register of births, the register of stillbirths or the register of deaths, a registrar within the meaning of section 17 , (c) in relation to an adoption (including a foreign adoption) or the register of adoptions, means the Adoption Board, (d) in relation to a decree of divorce or the register of decrees of divorce, means the Courts Service, and (e) in relation to a decree of nullity or the register of decrees of nullity, means the Courts Service, and references to a registrar include references to a person authorised by the registrar to act on the registrar's behalf and to the successor of the registrar; “repealed enactments” means the enactments repealed by section 4 ; “the required particulars” means— (a) in relation to a birth or a living new-born child found abandoned, the particulars specified in Part 1 of the First Schedule, (b) in relation to a stillbirth, the particulars specified in Part 2 of that Schedule, (c) in relation to an adoption, the particulars specified in Part 3 of that Schedule, (d) in relation to a foreign adoption, the particulars specified in Part 4 of that Schedule, and (e) in relation to a death, the particulars specified in Part 5 of that Schedule; “scheme”, in relation to an authority, means a scheme approved by it under section 14 ; “signature” includes an electronic signature within the meaning of the Electronic Commerce Act 2000 and cognate words shall be construed accordingly; “stillborn child” means a child who, at birth, weighs not less than 500 grammes or has a gestational age of not less than 24 weeks and shows no sign of life and “stillbirth” shall be construed accordingly; “Superintendent Registrar” shall be construed in accordance with section 17 . (2) For the purposes of this Act there is an impediment to a marriage if— (a) the marriage would be void by virtue of the Marriage Act 1835 as amended by the Marriage (Prohibited Degrees of Relationship) Acts 1907 and 1921, (b) one of the parties to the marriage is, or both are, already married, (c) one or both, of the parties to the intended marriage will be under the age of 18 years on the date of solemnisation of the intended marriage and an exemption from the application of section 31 (1)(a) of the Family Law Act 1995 in relation to the marriage was not granted under section 33 of that Act, (d) the marriage would be void by virtue of the Marriage of Lunatics Act 1811 , or (e) both parties are of the same sex. (3) In this Act— (a) a reference to a birth, stillbirth, adoption, foreign adoption, marriage or death includes a reference to such an event that could have been, but was not, registered in a register formerly maintained under the repealed enactments; (b) a reference to a section, Part or Schedule is a reference to a section, Part or Schedule of or to this Act, unless it is indicated that a reference to some other provision is intended; (c) a reference to a subsection, paragraph or subparagraph is a reference to the subsection, paragraph or subparagraph of the provision in which the reference occurs unless it is indicated that a reference to some other provision is intended; (d) a reference to any enactment or instrument made under statute is a reference to that enactment or instrument as amended, adapted or extended at any time by any enactment or instrument made under statute. Regulations. 3.—(1) The Minister may make regulations— (a) for any purpose in relation to which regulations are provided for by any of the provisions of this Act, (b) for prescribing any matter or thing referred to in this Act as prescribed or to be prescribed, (c) generally for the purpose of giving effect to this Act. (2) If in any respect any difficulty arises during the period of two years from the commencement of this section in bringing this Act into operation, the Minister may, by regulations made by him or her, do anything which appears to be necessary or expedient for bringing this Act into operation. (3) A regulation under this section may contain such consequential, supplementary and ancillary provisions as the Minister considers necessary or expedient. (4) A regulation under this section shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made and, if a resolution annulling the regulation is passed by either such House within the next 21 days on which that House has sat after the regulation is laid before it, the regulation shall be annulled accordingly, but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done thereunder. Repeals. 4.—The enactments specified in the Second Schedule are repealed to the extent specified in column 3 of that Schedule. Transitional provisions. 5.—(1) In so far as any order, regulation, rule, agreement, application, decision or reference or order of a court made, approval, consent, notification, notice or direction given or served, requirement imposed, certificate, form or other instrument issued or given, register or index maintained, resolution passed, particulars given, application made or other thing done under an enactment repealed by section 4 could have been made, given, imposed, issued, maintained, passed, served or done under a corresponding provision of this Act, it shall not be invalidated by the repeals effected by section 4 but, except in so far as this Act otherwise provides, shall have effect as if made, given, imposed, issued, maintained, passed, served or done under that corresponding provision. (2) Where any document refers to an enactment repealed by this Act and provision is made by this Act corresponding to that enactment, then, unless the context otherwise requires, that reference shall be construed as or, as the case may be, as including a reference to the corresponding provision of this Act. (3) Nothing in this Act affects the validity of a marriage duly solemnised before the commencement of Part 6. Expenses of Minister and Minister for Finance. 6.—(1) The expenses incurred by the Minister in the administration of this Act shall, to such extent as may be sanctioned by the Minister for Finance, be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas. (2) The expenses incurred by the Minister for Finance in the administration of this Act shall be paid out of monies provided by the Oireachtas. PART 2 Administration Ard-Chláraitheoir. 7.—(1) The office of an tArd-Chláraitheoir provided for by section 4 of the Act of 1863 shall continue in existence after the commencement of this section notwithstanding the repeals effected by this Act, but the office shall be known as an tArd-Chláraitheoir an tSeirbhís um Chlárú Sibhialta and the person holding the office shall be known as an tArd-Chláraitheoir and is referred to in this Act as an tArd-Chláraitheoir. (2) An tArd-Chláraitheoir shall be a person appointed to that office by the Minister from among his or her officers. (3) An tArd-Chláraitheoir shall be a civil servant. (4) A person appointed to be an tArd-Chláraitheoir shall hold office for a period of 7 years but the Minister may, if he or she thinks fit, continue the appointment (including an appointment previously continued under this subsection) for such further period not exceeding 7 years as he or she considers appropriate. (5) A person appointed to be an tArd-Chláraitheoir shall, subject to subsection (4), hold office on such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Minister after consultation with the Minister for Finance at the time of the appointment. (6) (a) The Minister may remove an tArd-Chláraitheoir from office at any time if, in the opinion of the Minister, an tArd-Chláraitheoir is incapable by reason of ill-health of performing his or her functions, or has committed stated misbehaviour or his or her removal from office appears to the Minister to be necessary for the effective performance of the functions of the office.   (b) If an tArd-Chláraitheoir is removed from office under this subsection, the Minister shall cause to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas a statement of the reasons for the removal. (7) The person who immediately before the commencement of this section held the offices of an tArd-Chláraitheoir shall upon such commencement, be deemed to have been appointed under this section to be an tArd-Chláraitheoir upon terms and conditions equivalent to those upon which he or she held those offices and subsections (4) and (5) do not apply to that person. (8) The functions of the office of an tArd-Chláraitheoir (being the office provided for by section 52 of the Act of 1844) are transferred to and shall be performed by an tArd-Chláraitheoir. (9) References in any statute or any instrument made under any statute passed or made before the commencement of this section, or in any other document in existence immediately before such commencement, to the office of an tArd-Chláraitheoir provided for by section 52 of the Act of 1844 shall, upon such commencement, be construed as references to an tArd-Chláraitheoir. Functions of Ard-Chláraitheoir. 8.—(1) The principal functions of an tArd-Chláraitheoir are— (a) to maintain, manage and control the system of registration (which shall be known as the Civil Registration Service) established by the repealed enactments of births, stillbirths, adoptions, deaths and marriages, wherever occurring in the State, and of births to which section 26 or 27 applies and deaths to which section 38 or 39 applies, (b) to extend the Civil Registration Service to decrees of divorce, and decrees of nullity, wherever granted in the State, (c) where appropriate, to modify and adapt the Civil Registration Service so as to provide for changing needs and circumstances (including the use of electronic or other information technology) in relation to the Service, (d) for the purposes of the Civil Registration Service, where appropriate, to maintain, adapt, modify and enlarge the registers, indexes and other records established and maintained under the repealed enactments, (e) to establish and maintain registers and indexes for the purposes of the registration of decrees of divorce and decrees of nullity, (f) to monitor the operation of this Act, (g) to make recommendations to the Minister on any measures that are estimated to cost in excess of such amount as may be specified by the Minister from time to time and are, in the opinion of an tArd-Chláraitheoir, necessary to achieve and maintain appropriate standards of efficiency in the Civil Registration Service and, subject to the consent of the Minister, to implement those measures or, instead of or in addition to them, such measures as the Minister may specify in relation to those standards, (h) to publish guidelines to registrars (within the meaning of section 17 ) on the operation of this Act, (i) to initiate and prosecute proceedings in relation to summary offences under this Act or any of the repealed enactments, and (j) to perform any other functions conferred on him or her by the Minister under subsection (3). (2) For the purposes of the foregoing and notwithstanding the repeals effected by section 4 , the system of registration of births, stillbirths, deaths, marriages, adoptions and foreign adoptions established and maintained under the repealed enactments shall continue in existence after the commencement of that section but may, if and whenever an tArd-Chláraitheoir considers it appropriate to do so, be adapted, modified or enlarged by him or her and, accordingly, the registers, indexes and other records established and maintained under the system shall also continue in existence after such commencement. (3) The Minister may, by regulations, confer on an tArd-Chláraitheoir such additional functions in relation to the Civil Registration Service as he or she considers appropriate. (4) An tArd-Chláraitheoir shall be independent in the performance of his or her functions. (5) An tArd-Chláraitheoir may do all such acts or things as are necessary or expedient for the purpose of the performance of his or her functions. (6) An tArd-Chláraitheoir may delegate such of his or her functions as he or she considers appropriate to a member of his or her staff. Ard-Chláraitheoir Cúnta. 9.—(1) There shall stand established the office of an tArd-Chláraitheoir Cúnta an tSeirbhís um Chlárú Sibhialta and the person holding the office is referred to in this Act as an tArd-Chláraitheoir Cúnta. (2) An tArd-Chláraitheoir Cúnta shall be a person appointed to that office by the Minister from among his or her officers. (3) An tArd-Chláraitheoir Cúnta shall be a civil servant. (4) Subject to subsection (5), an tArd-Chláraitheoir Cúnta shall have and may perform such functions as may be determined by the Minister from time to time and shall be subject to the general control and supervision of an tArd-Chláraitheoir. (5) During a period of absence or incapacity of an tArd-Chláraitheoir or when there is a vacancy in that office, an tArd-Chláraitheoir Cúnta shall have and may perform all the functions of an tArd-Chláraitheoir. (6) A person appointed to be an tArd-Chláraitheoir Cúnta shall hold office for a period of 7 years but the Minister may, if he or she thinks fit, continue the appointment (including an appointment previously continued under this section) for such further period not exceeding 7 years as he or she considers appropriate. (7) A person appointed to be an tArd-Chláraitheoir Cúnta shall, subject to subsections (6) and (9), hold office on such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Minister after consultation with the Minister for Finance at the time of the appointment. (8) (a) The Minister may remove an tArd-Chláraitheoir Cúnta from office at any time if, in the opinion of the Minister, an tArd-Chláraitheoir Cúnta is incapable by reason of ill-health of performing his or her functions or has committed stated misbehaviour or his or her removal from office appears to the Minister to be necessary for the effective performance of the functions of the office.   (b) If an tArd-Chláraitheoir Cúnta is removed from office under this subsection, the Minister shall cause to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas a statement of the reasons for the removal. (9) If, immediately before the commencement of this section, a person stands appointed under section 10 of the Act of 1863 as assistant to an tArd-Chláraitheoir, he or she shall upon, such commencement, stand appointed to the office of an tArd-Chláraitheoir Cúnta and shall hold that office upon terms and conditions equivalent to those upon which he or she held the office of such assistant and subsections (6) and (7) shall not apply to him or her. Staff of Ard-Chláraitheoir. 10.—(1) The Minister, after consultation with an tArd-Chláraitheoir and with the consent of the Minister for Finance, may appoint, upon and subject to such terms and conditions as the Minister may determine, after the consultation and with the consent aforesaid, at the time of the appointment, such and so many officers of the Minister to be members of the staff of an tArd-Chláraitheoir as he or she considers necessary, and persons so appointed shall continue to be civil servants. (2) Persons who were members of the staff of an tArd-Chláraitheoir who is referred to in section 52 of the Act of 1844 or section 4 of the Act of 1863 immediately before the commencement of this section shall, upon such commencement, become and be members of the staff of an tArd-Chláraitheoir upon terms and conditions equivalent to those that applied to their employment immediately before such commencement and shall continue to be civil servants. Annual report. 11.—(1) An tArd-Chláraitheoir shall, not later than 30 June in each year, beginning with the year 2005, prepare a report in writing (in this section referred to as “the report”) on the operation of this Act in the preceding year and shall furnish a copy of it to the Minister. (2) The report shall, if the Minister so directs, include information in such form and regarding such matters as he or she may specify. (3) The Minister shall cause copies of the report to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas. (4) An tArd-Chláraitheoir may prepare such other reports (if any) in writing in relation to matters concerning the Civil Registration Service as the Minister may request or an tArd-Chláraitheoir considers appropriate and furnish copies of them to the Minister. Oifig an Ard-Chláraitheora. 12.—(1) The office entitled Oifig an Ard-Chláraitheora provided under section 4 of the Act of 1863 shall continue in existence notwithstanding the repeals effected by this Act. (2) Registers and indexes maintained by an tArd-Chláraitheoir under this Act shall be kept in Oifig an Ard-Chláraitheora or in such other place as an tArd-Chláraitheoir may direct with the approval of the Minister. (3) An tArd-Chláraitheoir shall, as soon as may be, arrange for the provision of a seal for Oifig an Ard-Chláraitheora which shall be authenticated by the signature of an tArd-Chláraitheoir or a member of his or her staff duly authorised in that behalf by an tArd-Chláraitheoir. (4) The seal of Oifig an Ard-Chláraitheora shall be judicially noticed and every instrument purporting to be made by Oifig an Ard-Chláraitheora and to be sealed with its seal (purporting to be authenticated in accordance with subsection (3)) shall be received in evidence and be deemed to be such an instrument without further proof unless the contrary is shown. (5) The functions of the Office entitled Oifig an Ard-Chláraitheora provided under section 52 of the Act of 1844 are transferred to and may be performed by Oifig an Ard-Chláraitheora. (6) References in any statute or any instrument made under statute passed or made before the commencement of this section or in any document in existence immediately before such commencement to Oifig an Ard-Chláraitheora referred to in subsection (5) shall be construed as references to Oifig an Ard-Chláraitheora. Registers. 13.—(1) There shall be established, where appropriate, and maintained by an tArd-Chláraitheoir— (a) a register of all births occurring in the State or to which section 26 or 27 applies (which shall be known, and is referred to in this Act, as the register of births), (b) a register of all stillbirths occurring in the State (which shall be known, and is referred to in this Act, as the register of stillbirths), (c) a register of all adoptions and foreign adoptions under the Adoption Acts 1952 to 1998 (which shall be known, and is referred to in this Act, as the register of adoptions), (d) a register of all deaths occurring in the State or to which section 38 or 39 applies (which shall be known, and is referred to in this Act as the register of deaths), (e) a register of all marriages taking place in the State (which shall be known, and is referred to in this Act, as the register of marriages), (f) a register of all decrees of divorce (which shall be known, and is referred to in this Act, as the register of decrees of divorce), and (g) a register of all decrees of nullity of marriage (which shall be known, and is referred to in this Act, as the register of decrees of nullity). (2) A register formerly maintained under the repealed enactments shall be deemed, for the purposes of subsection (1) and the other provisions of this Act, to be part of the appropriate register. (3) A register may be maintained in any legible form or in any other form that is capable of being converted into a legible form and of being used to make a legible copy or reproduction of an entry in the register. (4) Evidence of an entry in a register and of the facts stated therein may be given by the production of a document purporting to be a legible copy of the entry and to be certified to be a true copy by an tArd-Chláraitheoir, a person authorised in that behalf by an tArd-Chláraitheoir, a Superintendent Registrar, an authorised officer or a registrar. (5) Any requirement of law for the production of a certificate of birth shall be satisfied by the production of a copy of the relevant entry in the register of adoptions purporting to be certified in accordance with subsection (4). (6) An tArd-Chláraitheoir may give a direction in writing to a registrar (within the meaning of section 17 ) or other person who holds a marriage register book provided under the repealed enactments to deliver the book or a copy of it to an authority specified in the direction not later than 28 days from the date of the direction. (7) In subsections (2) to (4), “register” means a register maintained under subsection (1). Schemes. 14.—(1) As soon as may be after the appointment of the first Superintendent Registrar of an authority, he or she shall prepare a scheme in writing (“a scheme”) for the administration of the Civil Registration Service in the functional area of the authority, and shall, after it has been approved by the authority, submit the scheme to the Minister. (2) When a scheme or a scheme under subsection (3) is submitted to the Minister, he or she may, after consultation with an tArd-Chláraitheoir, approve of it or refuse to approve of it or request the Superintendent Registrar concerned to make specified amendments, or amendments in relation to specified matters, to the scheme and then re-submit the amended scheme to the Minister for his or her approval. (3) (a) A scheme may be amended or revoked by a scheme under this subsection prepared by the Superintendent Registrar of the authority concerned.   (b) A scheme under this subsection shall, after it has been approved by the authority concerned, be submitted to the Minister. (4) A scheme or a scheme under subsection (3) shall be subject to the approval of the authority concerned. (5) A scheme may contain such incidental, supplementary and consequential provisions as appear to the authority to be necessary or expedient for the purposes of the scheme. (6) The Minister may, in consultation with an tArd-Chláraitheoir and the relevant authority, review the operation of a scheme that has been approved by the Minister or a scheme under subsection (3) that has been so approved (except in so far as it revokes another scheme) and may, having regard to the results of the review and after the consultation aforesaid, request the Superintendent Registrar concerned to make specified amendments, or amendments in relation to specified matters, to the scheme or to revoke it and prepare another scheme. (7) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), a scheme shall specify— (a) the number of registrars required by the authority for the purpose of the performance of its functions, (b) the number of any other officers required by the authority for the purpose aforesaid, (c) the locations of the offices of the authority, all of which shall be located in the functional area of the authority, (d) the proposed functions of, and distribution of functions between, the registrars and any other officers appointed pursuant to the scheme, (e) particulars of the proposed conditions of employment of the registrars and other officers proposed to be appointed by the authority, and (f) particulars or provisions in relation to any other matter standing specified for the time being by the Minister. (8) When a scheme or a scheme under subsection (3) is approved by the Minister, it shall have effect in accordance with its terms and the functions of the authority concerned shall be performed in accordance with any relevant provisions of the scheme or the scheme under subsection (3). (9) A scheme or a scheme under subsection (3) shall come into operation on such day or days as may be specified in it either generally or with reference to any particular purpose or provision and different days may be so specified for different purposes or different provisions. (10) In this section “registrar” means a registrar within the meaning of section 17 . Local registration authorities. 15.—(1) Each health board shall be a local registration authority (in this Act referred to as “an authority”) for the purposes of this Act. (2) The functional area of an authority shall be the functional area of the health board concerned. (3) Under the overall management, control and supervision of an tArd-Chláraitheoir, an authority shall, in accordance with the provisions of its scheme, manage, control and administer, through its Superintendent Registrar, the Civil Registration Service in its functional area and perform in that area the other functions conferred on it by or under this Act. (4) An tArd-Chláraitheoir may give a direction in writing to an authority in relation to its expenditure on and management, control and administration, of the Civil Registration Service in its functional area, and an authority shall comply with a direction given to it under this subsection. (5) An authority shall, in each year beginning with the year 2005, prepare an estimate in writing of its income and expenditure in the next following year and shall submit a copy of it to an tArd-Chláraitheoir. Financial provisions relating to authorities. 16.—(1) The incurring of expenditure by an authority that is not specified in its scheme shall be subject to the prior consent of an tArd-Chláraitheoir and the Minister. (2) Accounts of an authority shall be audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General. (3) If, in any financial year of an authority, the expenditure of the authority exceeds its income, the Minister may, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, make a grant to the authority of an amount not exceeding the amount of the excess. Staff of authorities. 17.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, an authority, after consultation with an tArd-Chláraitheoir, shall appoint— (a) a chief officer who shall be known as the Superintendent Registrar, (b) such number of registrars of births, stillbirths, deaths and marriages, and (c) such number of other officers, as it considers necessary for the purpose of the performance of its functions. (2) The appointment of a person under subsection (1) to an office referred to in paragraph (b) or (c) of that subsection shall be in accordance with any relevant provisions of the scheme of the authority concerned. (3) The Superintendent Registrar of an authority shall manage, control and administer the Civil Registration Service on behalf of and subject to the control and directions of the authority in its functional area and shall perform such other functions in relation to the Civil Registration Service as may from time to time be specified in writing to him or her by the authority. (4) A registrar shall have and perform in the functional area of the authority by which he or she was appointed functions corresponding as nearly as may be to those standing conferred immediately before the commencement of this section on a registrar appointed under the repealed enactments and any other functions conferred on him or her by or under this Act (including a scheme made by the authority by which he or she was appointed). (5) A registrar or an authorised officer shall, in the performance of his or her functions, be subject to the supervision of the Superintendent Registrar of the authority by which the registrar or officer was appointed and shall comply with any directions given to him or her under subsection (6). (6) A Superintendent Registrar of an authority may give a direction to a registrar appointed by the authority or to an authorised officer of the authority. (7) The Minister may, by regulations, confer on registrars such (if any) additional functions as he or she considers appropriate for the purposes of this Act. (8) Subject to subsection (9), a registrar or other officer appointed after the commencement of this section shall hold office upon such terms and conditions as may be determined by the authority concerned at the time of the appointment. (9) An officer of an authority (including its Superintendent Registrar and a registrar) may be removed from office by the authority if, in its opinion, the officer is incapable by reason of ill health of performing his or her functions or has committed stated misbehaviour or his or her removal from office appears to the authority to be necessary for the effective performance of the functions of the office. (10) (a) An authority may appoint officers of the authority to be authorised officers either, as may be specified in the instrument of appointment, for the purposes of this Act or for the purposes of specified provisions of this Act. (b) An authorised officer, when exercising a power under this Act shall, if so requested by a person affected, produce to the person evidence in writing of his or her appointment as an authorised officer. (11) A person holding office as a registrar of births, stillbirths, deaths and marriages immediately before the commencement of this section shall, upon such commencement, be deemed to have been appointed under this section as a registrar upon terms and conditions equivalent to those upon which he or she held the office aforesaid immediately before such commencement. (12) A reference in any statute passed before the commencement of this section or in any instrument made under such a statute to a Superintendent Registrar or a registrar of births, stillbirths, deaths and marriages shall be construed as a reference to a Superintendent Registrar appointed under this section or a registrar, as the case may be, and, accordingly, a function standing vested in Superintendent Registrars or registrars of births, stillbirths, deaths and marriages immediately before such commencement under a provision of such a statute or instrument that continues in force after such commencement shall, upon such commencement, stand vested in Superintendent Registrars appointed under this section or registrars, as the case may be, and may be performed by, such a Superintendent Registrar or by a registrar, as the case may be. (13) In this section “registrar” means a registrar of births, stillbirths, deaths and marriages appointed under this section. PART 3 Registration of Births and Stillbirths “the register” (Part 3). 18.—In this Part, “the register” means, as the context requires, the register of births or the register of stillbirths and cognate words shall be construed accordingly. Provision of particulars, and registration, of births. 19.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this Part, when a child is born in the State, it is the duty of— (a) the parents or the surviving parent of the child, or (b) if the parents are dead or incapable through ill health of complying with this subsection, each other qualified informant, unless he or she reasonably believes that another qualified informant has complied with it in relation to the birth, not later than 3 months from the date of the birth— (i) to attend before any registrar, (ii) there, to give to the registrar, to the best of his or her knowledge and belief, the required particulars of the birth, and (iii) there, to sign the register in the presence of the registrar. (2) Where a person complies with subsection (1) in relation to a birth, the other persons referred to in that subsection are discharged from the performance in relation to that birth of the duty imposed by that subsection. (3) Where, owing to non-compliance with subsection (1), a birth is not registered and, having made reasonable efforts to do so, the authority in whose functional area the birth occurred is unable to contact either parent of the child concerned, the authority may give a qualified informant a notice in writing requiring the informant— (a) to attend before a registrar in the functional area of the authority, at the office of the registrar or at such other (if any) convenient place as may be specified by the authority on or before a day so specified (not being less than 7 days from the date of the notice nor more than 12 months from the date of the birth), (b) there, to give to the registrar, to the best of his or her knowledge and belief, the required particulars of the birth, and (c) there to sign the register in the presence of the registrar, and, unless the birth is registered before the date of the attendance aforesaid, the informant shall comply with the requirement. (4) Where paragraphs (i) to (iii) of subsection (1) or, as the case may be, paragraphs (a) to (c) of subsection (3) have been complied with in relation to a birth, the registrar concerned shall register the birth in such manner as an tArd-Chláraitheoir may direct. (5) Where, in relation to the birth of a child— (a) the parents of the child are dead or incapable through ill health of complying with subsection (1), or (b) neither the parents nor another qualified informant can be found after all reasonable efforts to do so have been made, an tArd-Chláraitheoir may cause the birth to be registered on production to him or her of such evidence as he or she considers adequate for the purpose which, in the case referred to in paragraph (b), shall include, if the place where the birth occurred is known, evidence that the Superintendent Registrar of the authority in whose functional area the birth occurred made all reasonable efforts to find the parents or a qualified informant. (6) In this section “qualified informant”, in relation to the birth of a child, means— (a) the parents or the surviving parent of the child, (b) a guardian of the child, (c) a person present at the birth, (d) if the birth occurred in a building used as a dwelling or a part of a building so used, any person who was in the building or part at the time of the birth, (e) if the birth occurred in a hospital or other institution or in a building or a part of a building occupied by any other organisation or enterprise the chief officer of the institution, organisation or enterprise (by whatever name called) or a person authorised by the chief officer to perform his or her functions, (f) a person having charge of the child, or (g) a man who duly makes a request under paragraph (c) or (d) of section 22 (2). Births occurring more than 12 months before registration. 20.—(1) A registrar shall not register a birth at a time more than 12 months from the date of the birth without the consent in writing of the Superintendent Registrar of the authority by which he or she was appointed. (2) The fact of the giving of a consent referred to in subsection (1) to a registrar shall be noted in the register. Duty to notify registrar of abandoned new-born children. 21.—(1) Where a living new-born child is found abandoned, it is the duty of— (a) the person who finds the child, and (b) any person in whose charge the child is placed, not later than 3 months from the date of the finding, to give to a registrar, to the best of his or her knowledge and belief, in such form and manner as may be directed by an tArd-Chláraitheoir, the required particulars of the birth and, thereupon, the registrar shall register the birth in such manner as may be so directed. (2) Where a person complies with subsection (1) in relation to a child, the other person referred to in that subsection is discharged from the performance in relation to that child of the duty imposed by that subsection. (3) Where the date of the birth of a child whose birth is required to be registered under this Act is not known and a registered medical practitioner certifies in writing that, in his or her opinion, the birth took place on or about a date specified in the certificate, the registrar concerned may enter that date in the register as the date of the birth of the child. Registration of father where parents not married. 22.—(1) The father of a child who was not married to the mother of the child at the date of his or her birth or at any time during the period of 10 months before such birth shall not be required to give information under this Act about the birth. (2) Subject to subsection (3), any registrar shall enter in the register the name of a person (“the person”) as the father of a child to whom subsection (1) applies— (a) if the mother of the child (“the mother”) and the person jointly so request the registrar in writing and give to him or her a declaration in writing of the person that he is the father of the child, or (b) if the mother so requests the registrar in writing and gives to him or her— (i) a declaration in writing of the mother, in a form for the time being standing approved by an tArd-Chláraitheoir, that the person is the father of the child, and (ii) a statutory declaration of the person, in a form for the time being standing approved by an tArd-Chláraitheoir, that he is the father of the child, or (c) if the person so requests the registrar in writing and gives to him or her— (i) a declaration in writing of the person, in a form standing approved for the time being by an tArd-Chláraitheoir, that he is the father of the child, and (ii) a statutory declaration of the mother, in a form standing approved for the time being by an tArd-Chláraitheoir, that the person is the father of the child, or (d) if the mother or the person so requests the registrar in writing and produces to him or her a document purporting to be a copy of an order made by a court in proceedings referred to in section 45 of the Status of Children Act 1987 and to be certified by or on behalf of the court to be a true copy of the order, finding that the person is the father of the child. (3) Where, in a case in which the mother of a child to whom sub-section (1) applies (“the mother”) was married at the date of the birth of the child or at some time during the period of 10 months ending immediately before such birth, a person would, but for this subsection, fall to be registered under subsection (2) pursuant to a request under paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of that subsection, as the father of the child, the person shall not be so registered unless there is produced to a registrar— (a) a statutory declaration of the person or each person to whom the mother was married at some time during the period aforesaid, in a form standing approved for the time being by an tArd-Chláraitheoir, that he is not the father of the child, or (b) a statutory declaration of the mother, in a form standing approved for the time being by an tArd-Chláraitheoir, that she has been living apart from the person who is or any person who formerly was her husband during the period of 10 months ending immediately before the birth of the child by virtue of a decree of divorce, a decree of divorce a mensa et thoro, a decree of nullity or a deed of separation. (4) Where one of the persons to whom in any particular case sub-section (2)(d) applies makes a request to a registrar under that provision, the registrar shall notify the other person of the request. (5) When a birth is being registered under this section, the register shall be signed by— (a) the mother of the child concerned if she has made, or joined in the making of, the request concerned under subsection (2), and (b) the person who declares that he is the father of the child, if he has made, or joined in the making of, the request concerned under subsection (2). (6) This section applies, with any necessary modifications, to stillbirths as it applies to births. Re-registration of birth to include name of father. 23.—(1) Where the birth of a child whose parents were not married to each other at the date of the birth or at any time during the period of 10 months ending immediately before that date has been registered under this Act or the repealed enactments but no person has been registered as the child's father, then, subject to subsection (2), any registrar shall re-register the birth in such manner as an tArd-Chláraitheoir may direct and shall enter in the register the name of a person (“the person”) as the father of the child— (a) if the mother of the child and the person jointly so request the registrar in writing and give to him or her a declaration in writing, in a form for the time being standing approved by an tArd-Chláraitheoir, of the person, that he is the father of the child, or (b) if the mother so requests the registrar in writing and gives to him or her— (i) a declaration in writing of the mother, in a form for the time being standing approved by an tArd-Chláraitheoir, that the person is the father of the child, and (ii) a statutory declaration of the person, in a form for the time being standing approved by an tArd-Chláraitheoir, that he is the father of the child, or (c) if the person so requests the registrar in writing and gives to him or her— (i) a declaration in writing of the person, in a form for the time being standing approved by an tArd-Chláraitheoir, that he is the father of the child, and (ii) a statutory declaration of the mother, in a form for the time being standing approved by an tArd-Chláraitheoir, that the person is the father of the child, or (d) if the mother or the person so requests the registrar in writing and gives to the registrar a document purporting to be a copy of an order made by a court in proceedings referred to in section 45 of the Status of Children Act 1987 , and to be certified by or on behalf of the court to be a true copy of the order, finding that the person is the father of the child. (2) A birth shall not be re-registered under this section without the consent of a Superintendent Registrar of the authority by which the registrar is employed. (3) Where, in a case in which the mother of a child to whom sub-section (1) applies was married at the date of the birth of the child or at some time during the period of 10 months before such date and, but for this subsection, the birth would fall to be re-registered under that subsection pursuant to a request under paragraph (a), (b) or (c) thereof, and a person would fall to be registered under that subsection as the father of the child, the birth shall not be so re-registered and the person shall not be so registered unless there is produced to the registrar concerned— (a) a statutory declaration of the person to whom the mother was married at that date and of the person or each person to whom she was married at some time during the period aforesaid, in a form standing approved for the time being by an tArd-Chláraitheoir, that he is not the father of the child, or (b) a statutory declaration of the mother, in a form standing approved for the time being by an tArd-Chláraitheoir, that she has been living apart from the person who is, or the person or each person who was formerly, her husband during a period ending immediately before the date of the birth of the child of more than 10 months by virtue of a decree of divorce, a decree of divorce a mensa et thoro, a decree of nullity or a deed of separation. (4) Where a birth is re-registered under this section, the surname of the child entered in the register shall be— (a) that which was previously registered, or (b) a surname determined in accordance with Part 1 or, as may be appropriate, Part 2 of the First Schedule. (5) A birth which has been re-registered under this section may not be further re-registered save under section 24 . (6) When a birth is being re-registered under this section, the register shall be signed by— (a) the mother of the child concerned, if she has made, or joined in the making of, the request concerned under subsection (1), and (b) the person who declares that he is the father of the child, if he has made, or joined in the making of, the request concerned under subsection (1). (7) When a birth is re-registered under this section, the then existing entry relating to the birth shall be retained in the register. (8) This section applies, with any necessary modifications, to stillbirths as it applies to births. Re-registration of births of legitimated persons. 24.—(1) Any registrar shall, on application in writing to him or her in that behalf, on production to him or her of such evidence as appears to him or her to be satisfactory and on payment to that registrar of the prescribed fee, re-register the birth of a legitimated person (within the meaning of the Legitimacy Act 1931 ) whose birth is already registered under this Act or the repealed enactments. (2) A registrar shall not re-register the birth of a person referred to in subsection (1) if information sufficient for the purpose of the re-registration is not furnished to him or her by both of the parents, or, if one of the parents is dead, by the surviving parent, of the person unless a declaration of the legitimacy of the person has been made under the Legitimacy Declaration Act (Ireland) 1868 . (3) A registrar shall not re-register a birth under this section without the consent of the Superintendent Registrar of the authority by which the registrar is employed. (4) It is the duty of the parents of a legitimated person or, if one of the parents is dead and the re-registration of the birth concerned can be effected on information furnished by the surviving parent, within 3 months of the date of the marriage of the parents, to furnish to the registrar concerned the necessary information with a view to obtaining the re-registration of the birth of that person. (5) Where the parents of a person whom the registrar concerned believes to have been legitimated under the Legitimacy Declaration Act (Ireland) 1868 fail or either of them fails to comply with subsection (4), the registrar may, by notice in writing served on them, or either of them, require them or, if the notice is served on one only of them, that parent to give to him or her such information concerning the matter as he or she may consider necessary for the purpose of the re-registration of the birth of the person verified in such manner as he or she may direct and for that purpose to attend before the registrar at the office of the registrar or at any other place appointed by the registrar within such time, not being less than 14 days after the receipt of the notice, as may be specified in the notice and a person on whom a notice under this subsection is served shall comply with the requirement it contains. (6) The failure of the parents of a legitimated person, or of either of them, to furnish information in accordance with this section in respect of the person shall not affect his or her legitimisation. (7) Where a birth is re-registered under this section, the surname of the child entered in the register shall be— (a) that which was previously registered, or (b) a surname determined in accordance with Part 1 of the First Schedule. (8) A birth which has been re-registered under this section may not be further re-registered but the then existing entry relating to the birth shall be retained in the register. Registration, or alteration, of forename of child. 25.—(1) Any registrar shall, on application to him or her in writing, in a form standing approved by an tArd-Chláraitheoir or a form to the like effect, by the parents, the surviving parent or the guardian of a child whose birth has been registered, on production to that registrar of such evidence as appears to him or her to be satisfactory and on payment to that registrar of the prescribed fee— (a) if the forename of the child has been registered, change or alter the forename in the entry in the register or add a forename or forenames to the entry, or (b) if the forename of the child has not been registered, register the forename of the child. (2) Where a forename is changed, altered or registered or one or more forenames are added under subsection (1), the then existing entry concerned shall be retained in the register, the change, alteration, registration or addition sha …