Department of Civil Affairs

When the ROC took over Taiwan in 1945, Taipei was named the capital city of Taiwan. District Household Registration affairs were organized on February 8, 1946. District Chiefs selected personnel and an office was established to handle household registration services beginning in August 1946.

Household Registration affairs were designated under Civil Affairs on January 17, 1951. On July 4, 1959, amendments were made to include services such as household registration, National ID cards, nationality affairs, seals and other services.

During chaotic times around 1969, there were strict controls on household population to meet security demands. A trial of household and police system was implemented and after modifications to household related laws the plan was carried out in detail. Starting in 1973, household registration affairs were officially transferred from Civil Affairs and put under the authority of the Taipei City Police Department.

After martial law was dissolved in 1987, police and household registration affairs were separated in 1992. Affiliated Household Registries of Districts then came under jurisdiction of the Department of Civil Affairs, Taipei City Government.

Services provided
Household Registration services are intimately involved with citizens' lives, from birth to marriage and death.

Household Registration services include:
I. Household registration: 1) ID registration including birth, marriage and death registration, 2) Registration of moves and nationality;
II. Gain, loss or reinstatement of nationality;
III. National ID verification;
IV. seal registration and certification of seal changes or cancellations;
V. Issuance of Household Registration Certificates (English as well);
VI. Street naming and address signs.

Household Registration improvements
1. Household registration affairs: Application for Household Registration Certificates was previously only available at applicants' local Household Registration office. Since services were made digital on June 5, 1995, Household Registration Certificates for both existing and non-existing households can now be applied for via mail, phone or online. Registration is only required for moving into a district. One does not have to register when moving out of a district. Home-service for the disabled and elderly (over 65) is now available. Application for name-changes can be done over the counter upon arrival and completed within one hour. Also, other agencies are linked with Household Registration's database so that citizens need not make trips to different agencies.

2. Office working environment: Automatic numbering machines have been installed. Volunteer teams have been established to provide guidance, assistance to the elderly, and assistance in taking a number and responding to simple inquiries. Service counters have been lowered to 75 cm, and the staff invites clients to enjoy a cup of tea, and cordially answers phone calls. We also provide glasses for clients with eyesight problems, baby carriages, wheelchairs, magnifying glasses, umbrellas and coin-operated copy machines. These improvements aim at providing better service to handicapped persons, beautifying the work environment, and offering diverse and humane service.

Innovative services
Our continual aim is to cast off out-of-date methods and strive for excellence through computerization, opening workstations, providing English Household Resident Certificates and improving fee payment and receipt services. We persistently work to update services to comply with citizen demands.

English Household Registration Certificates are available, so as to avoid hassling with translation agencies, police stations and legal offices.

Convenient Household Registration Workstations handle household registration and certificate issuance (apart from seals)

Fee collection and receipt computerization saves time and work for personnel and saves paper.

Road numbering of Taipei's main roads, and naming east-west roads boulevards and north-south roads avenues help short-term visitors easily recognize streets in Taipei.

Future Vision
We pledge to provide convenient, efficient, innovative and respectful service to Taipei citizens. In the future, we stride toward our goal to incorporate new technology, laws and humanitarian services. Our new Internet services are gradually improving access to application and inquiry services and we hope to link with legal, local government, medical, health insurance, taxation, transportation and vehicle registration data systems. We are evaluating old regulations and replacing out-of-date laws to guarantee citizens' rights. We also consider adding citizen participation and local character to operations. In the future, we will continue to make new improvements and provide the most outstanding service to citizens.