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Births, Deaths and Marriages are often grouped together as BMD, BDM and BM&D.

The Civil registration of births, deaths and marriages began in the United Kingdom (UK) of Great Britain (GB) on 1st July 1837, a month after Queen Victoria took the British throne. Registration of Births and Deaths in England and Wales began in the September quarter of 1837 along with English and Welsh Marriage registration, while Births and Deaths and Marriages registration in Scotland began in 1855. Registration of Births and Deaths in Ireland began in 1864, with Marriages registered 19 years prior in 1845.

For birth, marriage and death records prior to these dates, these events would be noted as religious records. Parish registers, recorded baptisms, marriages and burials which took place at the parish church. Other religious records would be non-conformist registers, Roman Catholic registers and Jewish records.

Currently, a marriage would be registered at the time of the event. An English or Welsh birth must be registered in 42 days, but a Scottish birth must be registered within 21 days. A death which takes place in England and Wales must be registered within 5 days. These events should be registered at a Register office. Although you must enter the district where the event took place, these events can be registered at any office.

A recent amendment was Statutory Instrument 2005 No. 3177, The Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages (Amendment) Regulations 2005. Within these Regulations, this an Amendment of the Registration of Marriages Regulations 1986, an Amendment of the Registration of Marriages (Welsh Language) Regulations 1999, an Amendment of the Marriage (Authorised Persons) Regulations 1952, Amendment of the Registration of Births and Deaths Regulations 1987, an Amendment of the Registration of Births and Deaths (Welsh Language) Regulations 1987, an Amendment of the Reporting of Suspicious Marriages and Registration of Marriages (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2000.

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