Organisation and regulations

How is it organised?

The Civil Registry, until the regulations in force in 2014, is structured into four Sections, each of which is managed in different and independent books, with specific regulatory requirements. These sections are:

First Section: Births and General
- This is the most relevant section, as the registration of birth marks the beginning of a person's legal existence. Here, the name, surnames, sex, age, and, in certain cases, the parentage are recorded. Important modifications such as capacity, nationality, or civil status are also included.
Second Section: Marriages
- This section starts with the registration of the marriage ceremony, regardless of how it was conducted. It also registers sentences and resolutions regarding nullity, divorce, or separation, and any act that signifies the end of the marital relationship. The regimes of the marital society and alterations to these are also recorded.
Third Section: Deaths
- This section is dedicated to the registration of a person's death or, where applicable, the official declaration of death.
Fourth Section: Guardianships and Legal Representations
- This section is responsible for the registration of the establishment of guardianship bodies and other related legal resolutions, as well as their modifications. However, it does not include parental authority or the guardianship functions assigned to charitable institutions.

Each section plays an essential role in the legal life of individuals, ensuring that the most significant events are recorded and maintained in accordance with current regulations.

What are the bodies?

Institutional Structure of the Civil Registry

The Civil Registry in Spain is organised institutionally in a comprehensive manner, following the provisions of Article 10 of the Civil Registry Law. Its structure is composed of the following components:

Municipal Registries
- Main Municipal Registries: There are 431 in total. Of these, 15 are dedicated exclusively to Civil Registry functions. The others are overseen by a First Instance Judge, assisted by a Secretary, who carry out registration tasks partially.
- Peace Courts as Delegated Civil Registries: There are currently 7,667 Peace Courts that also act as Delegated Municipal Civil Registries. These are responsible for registering civil events such as births, marriages, and deaths in locations that do not have a Main Municipal Civil Registry.
Consular Registries
- Consular Registries are managed by Spanish Consuls abroad. In total, there are 177 consular offices that carry out Civil Registry functions within their respective jurisdictions.
Central Civil Registry
- The Central Civil Registry coordinates and supervises Municipal and Consular Registries, consolidating information and ensuring the integration and uniformity of the system across the country.

This structure ensures coverage and access to the Civil Registry throughout Spanish territory and abroad, facilitating the registration of citizens' vital events.