Civil records registration means registering births, marriages and deaths that occurred in the United States with the Sierra Leone authorities. Essential for citizens of Sierra Leone living abroad whose family events happen in the U.S.
Sierra Leone consulates processing civil records
What can be registered?
- Birth registration: children of Sierra Leone parents born in the U.S. can be registered as Sierra Leone nationals
- Marriage registration: marriages of Sierra Leone citizens (or mixed marriages) celebrated in the U.S.
- Death registration: death of Sierra Leone nationals in the U.S.
- Divorce registration: U.S. divorce decrees for those married in Sierra Leone
Required documents
- Original U.S. vital record (birth/marriage/death certificate)
- Apostille from the Secretary of State of the issuing state
- Certified translation to the official language of Sierra Leone
- Passport and ID of the Sierra Leone citizens involved
- Application form completed
How to register
Most Sierra Leone consulates require an appointment to file civil records. The consulate then forwards the registration to the Sierra Leone civil registry office.
Some consulates accept mail-in applications for civil records. Check the official site of your consulate.
Costs and processing times
Registration fees: typically free or $10-$50 per record. Processing time at the consulate: 2-4 weeks; final registration in Sierra Leone can take additional months.