Why are only historical vital event records accessible? Why is the date range for each index different?
Under the authority of section 39(4) of the Vital Statistics Act, the Ministry of Health has the authority to release historical vital statistics registrations for genealogical purposes. Birth registrations are available 120 years (see note) following the date of birth, marriage registrations are available 75 years after the date of marriage, and death registrations are available 20 years after the date of death. These time frames are consistent with the protection of privacy provisions in the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (section 36) governing disclosure of personal information for historical or archival purposes.
