The Danish Civil Registration System

TLDR

The Danish Civil Registration System, established in 1968, registers all living residents of Denmark for administrative purposes. It records unique personal identifiers, demographic details, vital status, residence, and family links for every individual, providing complete maternal and child data for those born after 1960 and 1935 respectively, and tracking immigration, emigration, and address changes from 1969 onward. Combined with other registers and biobanks, the CRS will continue to underpin research into disease etiology and prevention.

Abstract

Introduction: The Danish Civil Registration System (CRS) was established in 1968, and all persons alive and living in Denmark were registered for administrative use. Content: CRS includes individual information on the unique personal identification number, name, gender, date of birth, place of birth, citizenship, identity of parents and continuously updated information on vital status, place of residence and spouses. Validity and coverage: Since 1968, CRS has recorded current and historical information on all persons living in Denmark. Among persons born in Denmark in 1960 or later it contains complete information on maternal identity. For women born in Denmark in April 1935 or later it contains complete information on all their children. CRS contains complete information on immigrations and emigrations from 1969 onwards, permanent residence in a Danish municipality from 1971 onwards, and full address in Denmark from 1977 onwards. CONCLUSION: CRS in connection with other registers and biobanks will continue to provide the basis for significant knowledge relevant to the aetiological understanding and possible prevention of human diseases.