Vitebsk celebrated the 100th anniversary of the establishment of civil registration authorities

Indeed, the most important events in people's lives: birth, death, marriage, divorce, adoption, establishment of maternity or paternity, change of surname, first name, and patronymic – are subject to registration in the civil registry offices. They offer empathy and support in sad moments, and guidance and congratulations in moments of happiness.

 – The civil registry offices have gone through a rather long path of development. The beginning of their history dates back to December 18, 1917, when the Decree "On Civil Marriage, Children, and Keeping Records of Civil Status" was issued. Since then, all records that were kept by religious institutions began to be kept at the state level. These documents play a significant role in the life of every person: the history of a specific individual can be reconstructed from civil status records. Sometimes, citizens of other states turn to us with requests to help establish kinship ties. And thanks to the fact that records have been kept for 100 years, it is possible to find people, – said **Minister of Justice Oleg Slizhevsky**, who took part in the solemn meeting of the main justice department of the regional executive committee dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the civil registry offices.

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On behalf of the local authorities, the jubilee was congratulated by the Chairman of the Regional Council of Deputies, Vladimir Terentyev. He read out a congratulatory address from the Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee, Nikolai Sherstnev, and presented Certificates of Honor and letters of gratitude for conscientious and socially valuable work to the best employees. Vladimir Vladimirovich also emphasized the support for the work of the civil registry offices from the regional vertical.

 – The attention from the local authorities is evidenced by the fact that new palaces of solemn ceremonies are opening in the region: this year in Dubrovno, last year in Senno. We understand that civil registry offices play a special role in promoting family relationships, and therefore in improving the demographic situation in the region. In addition, civil registry offices are engaged in serious archival work, – emphasized Vladimir Terentyev.

Despite the fact that the 100th anniversary is officially celebrated only now, the employees of the civil registry offices have been preparing for this significant date since the beginning of the year.

On the occasion of the centenary, certificates for the 100th birth registration and marriage registration were awarded in the region, anniversary couples were honored, and various contests and exhibitions dedicated to family and children were held. Participants of the solemn event could see unique historical documents from the main department of justice of the regional executive committee, as well as a collection of wedding dolls from the civil registry office of the Pervomaysky district.

Figures and facts:

• In the Vitebsk region, the registration of civil status acts is carried out by 27 civil registry offices and more than 190 town and village councils.
• Every year, civil registry offices conduct more than 5,000 solemn registrations of marriages, births, and honors for family couples celebrating anniversaries of their life together.
• About 45,000 civil status acts are registered annually, and more than 60,000 certificates of records are issued.