The Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act, 1886
CHAPTER II: GENERAL REGISTRY OFFICES OF BIRTHS, DEATHS AND MARRIAGES
Section 8: Indexes To Be Open To Inspection
Bare Act
Subject to the payment of the prescribed fees the indexes so made shall be at all reasonable time open to inspection by any person applying to inspect them, and copies of entries in the certified copies of the registers to which the indexes relate shall be given to all persons applying for them.
Simplified Act
If you pay the required fees, you can look at the indexes of the records during reasonable hours. Anyone who asks and pays can get a copy of the entries from the certified copies of the official records that these indexes are based on.
Explanation using examples
Imagine Jane Doe wants to obtain a copy of her marriage certificate for a passport application. She goes to the local registration office where her marriage was registered and requests to see the index of marriages. After paying the prescribed fee, she is allowed to inspect the index during office hours. She finds her marriage entry and requests a certified copy of it. The office provides her with the copy upon confirmation of her identity and after the payment of the required fee for the copy. This service is in accordance with Section 8 of The Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act, 1886, which ensures public access to such records.
