Translation of Law No. 143 of 1994
The Translation of Law No. 143 of 1994 provides an English rendering of the primary legislation governing civil status matters in Egypt. Law No. 143 of 1994 establishes the legal and administrative framework through which the Egyptian state records and manages the life events of its citizens, including birth, death, marriage, and divorce. It repealed and replaced the earlier Law No. 260 of 1960, consolidating civil registration under the authority of the Civil Status Sector at the Ministry of Interior. This translation of Law No. 143 of 1994 is intended to help legal practitioners, researchers, and international stakeholders navigate the statutory provisions that shape civil registration in Egypt.
The Civil Status Matters Law sets out the obligations of citizens, health authorities, courts, and notarization offices in reporting and registering civil status events within specific time limits. It also establishes the national identification number system, the personal identification card requirements, and the procedures for correcting or re-registering civil status entries. Through eleven chapters, The Civil Status Matters Law addresses everything from general provisions and births to marriage and divorce, deaths, omitted registrations, and the penalties applicable for non-compliance or fraud.
Beyond its administrative scope, Law No. 143 of 1994 reflects Egypt’s broader efforts to safeguard citizens’ personal data and ensure the confidentiality of civil status records. The law includes dedicated provisions on data protection, restricting access to sensitive information and imposing criminal penalties for unauthorized disclosure, tampering, or forgery of civil registry data. These safeguards underscore the law’s dual purpose: facilitating efficient civil administration while protecting the privacy and legal rights of individuals.
This English version of the Civil Status Matters Law is provided for informational and reference purposes, offering a comprehensive translation of the Civil Status Matters Law’s eighty-one articles as they currently stand. Readers seeking to understand Egypt’s civil registration system, the rights and obligations it creates, or the penalties it imposes will find this translation of Law No. 143 of 1994 a useful starting point for further legal research or professional consultation.
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