WHAT IS RECTIFICATION?
Whenever a person is issued with a certified extract of birth/marriage/death entry, and the said document bears an error,
as compared to the original entry found in the registers of the Registrar of Civil Status, this may be rectified.
The application does not involve any costs.
HOW IS AN APPLICATION FOR RECTIFICATION PROCESSED?
Section 50 of the Civil Status Act sets out the procedure:-
· A Civil Status Officer or an interested party may make a written application to the Magistrate of the District in which the entry had been registered for an
order authorizing the Registrar of Civil Status to amend the entry;
·
Upon receipt of the said application, the Magistrate will refer it to the Ministère Public for its conclusions;
·
The Ministère Public will conduct an enquiry;
·
The Ministère Public will give its conclusions to the Magistrate; and
·
The Magistrate will either grant or refuse the application.
IN CASE APPLICATION FOR RECTIFICATION IS FAVOURABLE, WHAT STEPS NEED TO BE TAKEN?
The Civil Status Officer or the interested party needs to notify the Registrar of Civil Status of that decision.
The Registrar of Civil Status will then cause the entry to be rectified.
CAN A PERSON DISSATISFIED WITH THE DECISION OF THE MAGISTRATE MAKE AN APPEAL?
Yes. The person may, at his/her own costs, appeal against the decision of the Magistrate, not later than 6 weeks from the date
of that decision. The appeal lies to the Supreme Court of Mauritius.
