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Civil Registration System
Bolivia
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Bolivia
Civil Registration System
Powers and Responsibilities of National Civil Registration Agency
Powers and Responsibilities of National Civil Registration Agency
Uniform processes
Does the law provide for a uniform process to complete civil registrations across the country?
Yes
Recommended Practice based on International Guidelines
To improve registration of vital events, legislation should provide for standardized and consistent processes for the notification of vital events throughout a country's jurisdiction.
Yes. Civil registration in Bolivia follows uniform, standardized procedures nationwide because the system is centralized under the Civil Registry Service (SERECI), a public agency of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE).
The Constitution (Articles 208-III and 298-I-15) establishes that civil registration is the exclusive responsibility of the central government, and Law No. 18 of 2010 confirms the TSE’s authority to organize and manage the Civil Registry. In addition, Supreme Electoral Tribunal Resolution No. 80 of 2012 sets binding administrative procedures for all SERECI offices and staff. Therefore, all vital events are registered under the same legal and procedural framework across the country, with no regional variations.
Does the law establish the head of the civil registration agency and clearly set out the powers and responsibilities of that position?
Yes. SERECI National Director.
Powers established in the law.
Recommended Practice based on International Guidelines
The head of the civil registration agency (often called the national registrar or registrar general) should be clearly set out in the law and should have sufficient power and authority to ensure that the civil registration system functions efficiently and effectively. These powers and responsibilities should include oversight and implementation of the civil registration system; participation in drafting of rules, regulations and instructions to promote uniform practice; delegation of registration responsibilities and powers to other officials; management and inspection of registration offices; conducting quality assurance monitoring and addressing areas of concern; assessing degree of coverage and establishing boundaries for local offices; hiring, management, and training of personnel; management of physical resources and technology; resolution of incidents and appeals; promoting the registration requirements to the public; receiving and compiling data; exchanging information with other agencies; and safekeeping records and archives.
The head of the civil registration agency in Bolivia is the National Director of the Civil Registry Service (SERECI), which functions under the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE). The position and its responsibilities are established in Law No. 18 of 2010 (Law of the Plurinational Electoral Body) and detailed in the 2024 Manual of Organization and Functions of the Plurinational Electoral Body.
The National Director is responsible for directing and supervising the civil registration system nationwide, issuing administrative resolutions, overseeing departmental SERECI offices, ensuring data protection, and coordinating with other state institutions such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. These powers ensure the uniform and centralized operation of civil registration across the country.
Does the national registrar have the power to delegate powers and responsibilites?
No
Recommended Practice based on International Guidelines
The law on civil registration should clearly define who may delegate authority, which duties may be delegated and to whom. It is important that the law identify the powers of delegation for the head of an agency, and clearly identify the persons to whom the head of civil registration agency can delegate powers and responsibilities. For example, the head of an agency might be authorized to delegate duties to the deputy head of the agency or to local registrars.
