Tasmanian Government
LINC Tasmania
Tasmania's Heritage

Agency Details

Agency Number: TA85
Title: REGISTRAR-GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT
Start Date: 01 Jan 1838
End Date: 15 Mar 1983
Description:

The registration of births, deaths and marriages, performing civil marriages and effecting legitimations. Registration of titles to land and associated documents. At the time of its creation the Department was solely concerned with registration of births, deaths and marriages. In 1972 it was amalgamated with the Lands Titles Department, gaining responsibility for registration of titles and deed. On 15 March 1983 the Department was amalgamated with the Attorney-Generals and Prisons Departments to create the Law Department retaining its identity as a Division of the new Department.--PREVIOUS AGENCY------: The evolution of this Department is complex and has not been fully registered (as at 1991). Responsibility for registration of births, deaths and marriages evolved as follows: 1838-1882 Supreme Court Registry, 1882-1924 Statistical and General Registry Department, 1924-1930 Registration Department, 1930-1934 Operated as a Division of Treasury, 1934-1959 Registration Department in own right again, renamed in 1959. Responsibility for registering deeds and titles to land evolved as follows: 1857-1924 Registry of Deeds Office, 1862-1924 Lands'Titles Office (for land held under the Torrens Title System), 1924-1972 Lands' Titles Department (formed by amalgamation of the above Offices), 1972 - Amalgamated with Registrar-General's Department.

The Department was also responsible for the administration of the Adoption of Children Acts 1920 and 1960. This responsibility was transferred to the Department of Social Welfare in 1961.
Information Sources:

Legislation Administered:

Abandoned Lands Act 1973 (part), Adoption Act 1920 and 1960, Conveyancing and Land Property Act 1884, Land Titles Act 1980, Local Government Act 1982 (part), Marriages Registration Act 1962, Public Trust Act 1882, Registration of Births and Deaths Acts 1895 and 1957, Registration of Deeds Act 1935
Legislation Creating:

SR 1959/209
Legislation Abolishing Agency:

Functions Performed:
• 10 GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION AND GOVERNANCE [1]
• 13 JUSTICE AND LEGAL ADMINISTRATION [1]
Subsequent Agencies:
• TA914 REGISTRAR-GENERAL'S DIVISION 15 Mar 1983
• TA373 LAW DEPARTMENT 15 Mar 1983 17 Jul 1989
Series Created By Agency:
• RGD32  REGISTERS OF BAPTISMS IN TASMANIA. 01 Jan 1803 31 Dec 1933
• RGD38  INDEX TO BAPTISMS IN TASMANIA. 01 Jan 1803 31 Dec 1933
• RGD34  REGISTERS OF BURIALS IN TASMANIA. 01 Jan 1803 31 Dec 1933
• RGD40  INDEX TO BURIALS IN TASMANIA. 01 Jan 1803 31 Dec 1933
• RGD36  REGISTERS OF MARRIAGES (PRE CIVIL REGISTRATION). 01 Jan 1803 31 Dec 1838
• RGD42  INDEX TO MARRIAGES (PRE CIVIL REGISTRATION). 01 Jan 1803 31 Dec 1838
• RGD33  REGISTERS OF BIRTHS IN HOBART, LAUNCESTON AND COUNTRY DISTRICTS. 01 Jan 1838 31 Dec 1899
• RGD39  INDEXES TO HOBART BIRTHS AND LAUNCESTON AND COUNTRY BIRTHS. 01 Jan 1838 31 Dec 1899
• RGD35  REGISTERS OF HOBART DEATHS AND LAUNCESTON AND COUNTRY DISTRICTS DEATHS. 01 Jan 1838 31 Dec 1899
• RGD41  INDEXES TO HOBART, LAUNCESTON, AND COUNTRY DEATHS. 01 Jan 1838 31 Dec 1899
• RGD95  BRIGHTON REGISTRY - NOTICES OF INTENTION TO MARRY. 10 Nov 1838 18 Nov 1852
• RGD37  REGISTERS OF MARRIAGES (ALL DISTRICTS). 01 Jan 1839 31 Dec 1899
• RGD43  INDEXES TO MARRIAGES. 01 Jan 1839 31 Dec 1899
• RGD24  OATLANDS REGISTRY - INDEX TO REGISTER OF BIRTHS. 01 Jan 1839 31 Dec 1900
• RGD28  OATLANDS REGISTRY - INDEX TO REGISTER OF DEATHS. 01 Jan 1839 31 Dec 1900
• RGD74  SORELL REGISTRY - INDEX TO DEATHS REGISTERED IN THE DISTRICT OF SORELL. 01 Jan 1839 31 Dec 1969
• AC853  BRIGHTON REGISTRY - INDEX TO BIRTHS IN BRIGHTON DISTRICT. 01 Jan 1839 31 Dec 1910
• RGD27  OATLANDS REGISTRY - REGISTER OF DEATHS IN THE DISTRICT OF OATLANDS. 14 Jan 1839 15 Dec 1969
• RGD23  OATLANDS REGISTRY - REGISTER OF BIRTHS IN THE DISTRICT OF OATLANDS. 16 Jan 1839 19 Dec 1930
• RGD44  BRIGHTON REGISTRY - REGISTERS OF BIRTHS IN THE DISTRICT OF BRIGHTON. 25 Jan 1839 13 Nov 1969
• RGD56  HAMILTON REGISTRY - REGISTERS OF DEATHS IN THE DISTRICT OF HAMILTON. 12 Feb 1839 22 Dec 1969
• RGD55  HAMILTON REGISTRY - REGISTER OF BIRTHS IN THE DISTRICT OF HAMILTON. 17 Jun 1839 22 Dec 1969
• RGD73  SORELL REGISTRY - REGISTERS OF DEATHS IN THE DISTRICT OF SORELL. 11 Jul 1839 18 Nov 1969
• RGD71  SORELL REGISTRY - REGISTERS OF BIRTHS IN THE DISTRICT OF SORELL & PROSSER'S PLAINS. 02 Aug 1839 01 Apr 1967
• RGD84  REGISTER OF BAPTISMS (OR DEDICATIONS) BY REV HENRY DOWLING, BAPTIST MINISTER IN LAUNCESTON (INCLUDING DOWLING'S GENEALOGY). 17 Jan 1841 30 Dec 1855
• RGD99  GLAMORGAN REGISTRY - INDEX TO DEATHS REGISTERED IN THE DISTRICT OF GLAMORGAN. 01 Jan 1842 31 Dec 1922
• RGD72  SORELL REGISTRY - INDEXES TO BIRTHS REGISTERED IN THE DISTRICT OF SORELL. 01 Jan 1842 31 Dec 1960
• RGD25  OATLANDS REGISTRY - NOTICES OF INTENTION TO MARRY. 19 Jun 1842 28 Jul 1897
• RGD62  KINGSTON REGISTRY - REGISTER OF MARRIAGES IN THE DISTRICT OF KINGSTON. 22 Jun 1842 29 Aug 1865
• RGD85  REGISTER OF BURIALS PERFORMED BY REV HENRY DOWLING, BAPTIST MINISTER IN LAUNCESTON. 15 Dec 1842 04 Oct 1865
• RGD57  HAMILTON REGISTRY - NOTICES OF MARRIAGE IN THE DISTRICT OF HAMILTON. 01 Jan 1843 27 Mar 1851
• RGD80  TASMAN PENINSULA REGISTRY - INDEX TO DEATHS REGISTERED IN THE DISTRICT OF TASMAN PENINSULA. 01 Jan 1843 31 Dec 1969
• RGD81  TASMAN PENINSULA REGISTRY - REGISTER OF MARRIAGES IN THE DISTRICT OF TASMAN PENINSULA. 01 Jan 1843 03 Sep 1895
• RGD18  CAMPBELL TOWN REGISTRY - REGISTER OF BIRTHS IN THE DISTRICT OF CAMPBELL TOWN. 07 Sep 1843 14 Mar 1880
• RGD8  BOTHWELL REGISTRY - REGISTER OF BIRTHS IN THE DISTRICT OF BOTHWELL. 15 Dec 1843 02 Apr 1964
• RGD101  BOTHWELL REGISTRY - INDEX TO REGISTER OF BIRTHS. 01 Jan 1844 31 Dec 1952
• RGD77  TASMAN PENINSULA REGISTRY - REGISTERS OF BIRTHS IN THE DISTRICT OF TASMAN PENINSULA. 01 Jan 1844 29 Oct 1969
• RGD78  TASMAN PENINSULA REGISTRY - INDEX TO BIRTHS REGISTERED IN THE DISTRICT OF TASMAN PENINSULA. 01 Jan 1844 31 Dec 1969
• RGD19  CAMPBELL TOWN REGISTRY - REGISTER OF DEATHS IN THE DISTRICT OF CAMPBELL TOWN. 10 Jan 1844 26 Oct 1907
• RGD17  BOTHWELL REGISTRY - REGISTERS OF DEATH IN THE DISTRICT OF BOTHWELL. 13 Jan 1844 02 Jun 1969
• RGD79  TASMAN PENINSULA REGISTRY - REGISTERS OF DEATHS IN THE DISTRICT OF TASMAN PENINSULA. 19 Jan 1844 24 Dec 1969
• RGD16  BOTHWELL REGISTRY - REGISTER OF MARRIAGES IN THE DISTRICT OF BOTHWELL. 27 Jun 1844 03 Jan 1874
• RGD76  SORELL REGISTRY - NOTICES OF INTENTION TO MARRY IN THE DISTRICT OF SORELL. 26 Sep 1845 13 Feb 1920
• RGD68  RICHMOND REGISTRY - INDEXES TO BIRTHS REGISTERED IN THE DISTRICT OF RICHMOND. 01 Jan 1846 31 Dec 1947
• RGD67  RICHMOND REGISTRY - REGISTER OF BIRTHS IN THE DISTRICT OF RICHMOND. 03 Jun 1846 01 May 1969
• RGD69  RICHMOND REGISTRY - REGISTERS OF DEATHS IN THE DISTRICT OF RICHMOND. 05 Aug 1846 22 Dec 1969
• RGD20  CLARENCE REGISTRY - REGISTERS OF BIRTHS IN THE DISTRICT OF CLARENCE. 15 Oct 1846 27 May 1959
• RGD48  CLARENCE REGISTRY - INDEX TO DEATHS REGISTERED IN THE DISTRICT OF CLARENCE. 01 Jan 1847 21 Mar 1961
• RGD22  CLARENCE REGISTRY - REGISTERS OF DEATHS IN THE DISTRICT OF CLARENCE. 02 Jan 1847 23 Dec 1969
• AE827  CAMPBELL TOWN REGISTRY - NOTICES OF INTENTION TO MARRY IN THE DISTRICT OF CAMPBELL TOWN 22 Jun 1848 01 Jun 1859
• RGD63  NORFOLK ISLAND REGISTRY - REGISTER OF BIRTHS IN THE DISTRICT OF NORFOLK ISLAND. 30 Aug 1848 22 Jan 1855
• RGD64  NORFOLK ISLAND REGISTRY - REGISTER OF DEATHS IN THE DISTRICT OF NORFOLK ISLAND. 01 Jan 1849 12 May 1852
• AD386  REGISTER OF CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED. 02 Jan 1851 24 Aug 1852
• RGD1  COUNTERFOILS OF MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES ISSUED IN RESPECT OF MARRIAGES PERFORMED AT HOBART, LAUNCESTON AND FRANKLIN REGISTRY OFFICES, AND BY VARIOUS RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS. 01 Jan 1852 30 Apr 1963
• RGD15  STATISTICIANS OFFICE - STATISTICAL RETURNS FROM MUNICIPALITIES. 30 Oct 1852 04 Apr 1864
• RGD21  CLARENCE REGISTRY - NOTICES OF INTENTION TO MARRY. 23 Apr 1853 04 Jun 1859
• RGD26  OATLANDS REGISTRY - REGISTER OF MARRIAGES IN THE DISTRICT OF OATLANDS. 01 Feb 1854 19 Apr 1911
• RGD88  DAMAGED PAGES FROM MARRIAGE REGISTERS THAT HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH COPIES. 01 Jan 1855 31 Dec 1892
• RGD61  KINGSTON REGISTRY - INDEX TO DEATHS REGISTERED IN THE DISTRICT OF KINGSTON. 01 Jan 1856 31 Dec 1869
• RGD3  HOBART REGISTRY - NOTICES OF INTENTION TO MARRY. 01 Jun 1856 31 May 1931
• RGD89  FRANKLIN REGISTRY - REGISTER OF BIRTHS. 01 Nov 1856 30 Jun 1887
• RGD90  FRANKLIN REGISTRY - REGISTER OF DEATHS. 01 Nov 1856 31 Dec 1903
• RGD65  RALPH'S BAY REGISTRY - REGISTER OF BIRTHS IN THE DISTRICT OF RALPH'S BAY. 25 Nov 1856 23 Jan 1912
• RGD60  KINGSTON REGISTRY - REGISTERS OF DEATHS IN THE DISTRICT OF KINSTON. 01 Dec 1856 29 Oct 1969
• RGD92  VICTORIA REGISTRY - REGISTER OF BIRTHS IN THE DISTRICT OF VICTORIA (HUON). 01 Dec 1856 30 Sep 1893
• RGD59  KINGSTON REGISTRY - INDEX OF BIRTHS REGISTERED IN THE DISTRICT OF KINGSTON. 01 Jan 1857 31 Dec 1967
• RGD91  FRANKLIN REGISTRY - REGISTER OF NOTICES OF INTENTION TO MARRY. 01 Jan 1857 31 Dec 1863
• RGD93  VICTORIA REGISTRY - REGISTER OF DEATHS IN THE DISTRICT OF VICTORIA (HUON). 01 Feb 1857 15 May 1912
• RGD75  SORELL REGISTRY - REGISTER OF MARRIAGES IN THE DISTRICT OF SORELL & PROSSER'S PLAINS. 04 Feb 1857 27 Nov 1892
• AE1003  DELORAINE REGISTRY-NOTICES OF INTENTION TO MARRY 07 Mar 1857 07 Nov 1939
• RGD66  RALPH'S BAY REGISTRY - REGISTER OF DEATHS IN THE DISTRICT OF RALPH'S BAY. 17 Apr 1857 26 Sep 1911
• AE1002  DELORAINE REGISTRY-REGISTER OF MARRIAGES 01 Jun 1857 06 Aug 1913
• RGD11  OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR OF PATENTS - INDEX OF APPLICATIONS FOR LETTERS PATENT IN THE COLONY. 01 Jan 1858 31 Dec 1904
• RGD12  OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR OF PATENTS - INDEX OF INVENTIONS FOR WHICH LETTERS PATENT WERE SOUGHT IN THE COLONY. 01 Jan 1858 31 Dec 1904
• RGD94  VICTORIA REGISTRY - REGISTER OF NOTICES OF INTENTION TO MARRY. 01 Jan 1858 31 Dec 1895
• RGD10  OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR OF PATENTS - APPLICATIONS FOR LETTERS PATENT IN THE COLONY. 01 Jan 1859 31 Dec 1893
• RGD52  GREEN PONDS REGISTRY - INDEX TO BIRTHS REGISTERED IN THE DISTRICT OF GREEN PONDS. 01 Jan 1866 31 Dec 1946
• RGD54  GREEN PONDS REGISTRY - INDEX TO DEATHS REGISTERED IN THE DISTRICT OF GREEN PONDS. 01 Jan 1866 31 Dec 1945
• RGD53  GREEN PONDS REGISTRY - REGISTERS OF DEATHS IN THE DISTRICT OF GREEN PONDS. 12 Mar 1866 25 Nov 1969
• RGD51  GREEN PONDS REGISTRY - REGISTERS OF BIRTHS IN THE DISTRICT OF GREEN PONDS. 07 Apr 1866 25 Mar 1966
• RGD102  BOTHWELL REGISTRY - REGISTER OF BUILDINGS FOR THE SOLEMINISATION OF MARRIAGES UNDER 2 VIC NO 8. 01 Jan 1867 31 Dec 1867
• RGD9  OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR OF PATENTS - REGISTERS OF APPLICATIONS FOR AND THE GRANT OF CERTIFICATES OF REGISTRATION OF TRADE MARKS, WITH DETAILS OF GAZETTAL AND COPIES OF MARKS. 01 Dec 1869 30 Jun 1906
• RGD14  STATISTICIANS OFFICE - MUNICIPAL FINANCIAL RETURNS FURNISHED BY THE PRINCIPAL AUDITOR. 01 Jan 1874 31 Dec 1875
• RGD7  BOTHWELL REGISTRY - LETTERS RECEIVED FROM THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL. 01 Jan 1881 28 Feb 1881
• RGD82  TASMAN PENINSULA REGISTRY - NOTICES OF INTENTION TO MARRY IN THE DISTRICT OF TASMAN PENINSULA. 26 Sep 1881 27 Aug 1898
• RGD70  RICHMOND REGISTRY - INDEX TO DEATHS REGISTERED IN THE DISTRICT OF RICHMOND. 01 Jan 1883 31 Dec 1969
• RGD86  DECLARATIONS OF MARRIAGE MADE BY PARTIES INTENDING TO BE MARRIED AT BAPTIST CHURCH, LAUNCESTON DURING PASTORATE OF REV W WHITE. 07 Jul 1883 14 Mar 1888
• RGD58  KINGSTON REGISTRY - REGISTERS OF BIRTHS IN THE DISTRICT OF KINGSTON. 09 Feb 1884 20 May 1969
• RGD83  HOBART REGISTRY - REGISTER OF BIRTHS OF STILL-BORN CHILDREN. 07 Jul 1884 22 Nov 1895
• RGD45  BRIGHTON REGISTRY - REGISTERS OF DEATHS IN THE DISTRICT OF BRIGHTON. 15 Oct 1885 12 Nov 1969
• RGD87  DAMAGED PAGES FROM BIRTH REGISTERS THAT HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH COPIES. 01 Jan 1891 31 Dec 1899
• RGD29  ROSS REGISTRY - REGISTER OF BIRTHS IN THE DISTRICT OF ROSS. 28 Dec 1895 20 May 1932
• RGD30  ROSS REGISTRY - REGISTER OF DEATHS IN THE DISTRICT OF ROSS. 02 May 1896 11 Jun 1932
• RGD103  LYELL REGISTRY - INDEX TO REGISTER OF BIRTHS. 01 Jan 1898 31 Dec 1913
• RGD49  GORDON REGISTRY - REGISTER OF BIRTHS IN THE DISTRICT OF GORDON. 13 Apr 1901 20 Dec 1911
• RGD50  GORDON REGISTRY - REGISTER OF DEATHS IN THE DISTRICT OF GORDON. 06 Jun 1901 14 Nov 1911
• RGD97  WARATAH REGISTRY - INDEX TO BIRTHS REGISTERED IN THE DISTRICT OF WARATAH. 01 Jan 1902 31 Dec 1913
• RGD98  WARATAH REGISTRY - INDEX TO DEATHS REGISTERED IN THE DISTRICT OF WARATAH. 01 Jan 1902 31 Dec 1913
• AD443  REGISTER OF MIDWIFERY NURSES. 01 Apr 1902 31 Oct 1976
• AD502  BURNIE REGISTRY - REGISTER OF MARRIAGES. 01 Jun 1904 30 Nov 1957
• RGD13  OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR OF PATENTS - REGISTER OF CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO TRADE- MARKS. 01 Jan 1906 31 Dec 1908
• AD503  BURNIE REGISTRY - CORRESPONDENCE AND ASSOCIATED RELATING TO REGISTRATION OF BIRTHS, DEATHS AND MARRIAGES. 01 Jan 1911 31 Dec 1962
• RGD46  BRUNY ISLAND REGISTRY - REGISTERS OF BIRTHS IN THE DISTRICT OF BRUNY ISLAND. 20 Apr 1912 11 Mar 1969
• RGD47  BRUNY ISLAND REGISTRY - REGISTER OF DEATHS IN THE DISTRICT OF BRUNY ISLAND. 08 Jun 1912 30 Oct 1969
• AD501  BURNIE REGISTRY - NOTICES OF INTENTION TO MARRY. 20 May 1918 02 Oct 1930
• AD414  MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE, FLINDERS ISLAND REGISTRY. 01 Jan 1928 31 Dec 1957
• AB451  RINGAROOMA REGISTRY - REGISTER OF MARRIAGES IN THE DISTRICT OF RINGAROOMA. 01 Jan 1930 31 Dec 1963
• AD412  NOTIFICATION FORMS FOR REGISTRATION OF BIRTH, FLINDERS ISLAND REGISTRY. 01 Jan 1930 31 Dec 1967
• AD413  NOTIFICATION FORMS FOR REGISTRATION OF DEATH, FLINDERS ISLAND REGISTRY. 01 Jan 1932 31 Dec 1965
• RGD96  ZEEHAN - CORRESPONDENCE OF THE COUNCIL CLERK AS LOCAL REGISTRAR OF BIRTHS, DEATHS AND MARRIAGES. 01 Jan 1936 31 Dec 1939
• RGD2  CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO THE REGISTRATION OF, AND SEARCHES FOR BIRTHS, DEATHS, MARRIAGES [S R D]. 01 Jan 1939 30 Nov 1939
• RGD31  ROSS REGISTRY - DECLARATIONS OF LEGITIMATION. 01 Jan 1941 31 Dec 1954
• RGD100  BOTHWELL REGISTRY - COPY OF PARTICULARS REQUIRED FOR THE REGISTRATION OF DEATH. 01 Sep 1946 30 Jun 1960
• AD411  REGISTER OF MARRIAGES, FLINDERS ISLAND REGISTRY. 01 Mar 1950 30 Apr 1963
• RGD4  INDEXES TO NOTICES RECEIVED OF INTENTION TO MARRY. 01 Jan 1952 31 Dec 1961
• RGD6  ALPHABETICAL REGISTER OF CELEBRANTS' MARRIAGE NOTICES RECEIVED. 01 Jan 1955 31 Dec 1956
• RGD5  INDEX TO BIRTHS. 01 Jan 1960 31 Dec 1960