Civil Status Registration in Lebanon: From the Mukhtar to the Nofous

Lebanon has maintained civil records since around 1920, and the system still relies on the locally elected Mukhtar as the first step before entries land in the central Nofous (civil registry).

Birth registration

1. Collect the hospital's birth notification.
2. Get a birth certificate from the Mukhtar of the area where birth occurred — bring the parents' ID, family extract, marriage certificate and two witnesses (small fee, around LBP 30,000).
3. Register at the Nofous nearest the place of birth, then at the Foreigners' Registry at the governorate.

Deadline: within one year of the birth. After one year, registration becomes a judicial procedure that can require DNA testing — slow and expensive.

Marriage registration

1. Marriage contract from your religious authority (Sharia court, church) with medical tests and witnesses.
2. Marriage certificate from a nearby Mukhtar (fees vary by Mukhtar).
3. Register at the Nofous closest to the place of marriage — fee around LBP 400,000.
4. Final step at the Foreigners' Registry at the governorate.

Death registration

1. Doctor's death certificate.
2. Death certificate issued by the Mukhtar of the locality where death occurred.
3. Registration at the Nofous within 45 days — fee around LBP 400,000; late registration triggers a fine.
4. Final entry at the Foreigners' Registry; stamp duty per attached document.

Tip

Always request multiple original copies (ikhraj kayd) at the Nofous in the same visit; reissue trips are slow.