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History of National Registration Department
Pre-independence Era
1938 Registration of Births and Death Ordinance
Since 1872, birth registration was used as a health and statistical measure. However, records were hardly accurate, as registration was voluntary. In 1938, births and death registration became compulsory.
1948 National Registration Ordinance
The National Registration Office (NRO) of the colonial government began issuing paper ICs in 1948. The purpose was to identify individuals born in the State of Singapore. The NRO was located at Empress Place (below).
1958 State of Singapore Act
When Singapore gained internal self-government, a new Constitution of Singapore was introduced, where Singapore Citizenship gained international status and significance.
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Independence
1966 National Registration Act
Singapore's independence on 9 August 1965 brought on the National Registration Act.
The NRO and Registry of Births and Death (RBD) came under the Ministry of Labour. The Registry of Societies (ROS) and the Martial Arts Control Unit (MACU) came under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Along with the reorganisation of MHA in July 1981, MACU and ROS were placed under the charge of the Registry of Citizens.
On 16 October 1981, the National Registration Department was established under the MHA. It comprised of the NRO, RBD, ROC, MACU and ROS. The rationale was that all these functional units deal with the identification of individuals and groups in Singapore.
MACU was subsequently transferred to CID for better efficiency and control in April 1992.
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