Mandatory Inclusion on Civil Registry
Inclusion on the population register is typically mandatory and therefore individuals are not likely
to experience the problems of exclusion that can arise in periodic list or continuous lists,
particularly when registration is not mandatory. With a civil registry and mandatory inclusion,
there often is a fine imposed when information is not provided to the authority managing the civil
registry. Failure to register a child within a certain period after birth, or failure to register a change
of address, may result in fines imposed against the citizen. When it is necessary for others to
provide information on change in status in the civil registry, failure of these people to comply also
can result in a fine being levied.
Sweden, for instance, requires the minister marrying a couple to submit the appropriate forms to
the tax office so that registration information can be updated. Likewise, the official responsible for
granting a divorce needs submit the appropriate documentation to the tax office.
An Appeals Process
As with all systems of registering voters, a civil registry system must include the opportunity to
appeal decisions of the authority administering the registry. Placing the responsibility of
maintaining the civil registry in Argentina with the judiciary serves to highlight the fact that the
decisions of those who create and maintain the registers are subject to appeal and review. Even
when the responsibility rests with non-judicial authorities, as with Sweden's tax authority, decisions
are open to review. A citizen can appeal for a change in residence on the civil registry, and have
the application denied on the grounds that this is not his or her principal residence. Such decisions
must be appealable to a higher administrative or judicial authority. In Sweden, depending on the
details of the case, a decision can be reviewed on three judicial levels, the highest being the
Supreme Administrative Court.107
