The National Registration Department (JPN) keeps the registers of births, deaths, marriages of non-Muslims and identity cards. A birth must be registered within 60 days (Births and Deaths Registration Act 1957, s 8) and a death within 7 days (s 19(2)) — these periods apply in Peninsular Malaysia. A statutory declaration is made before a Sessions Court Judge, Magistrate, Commissioner for Oaths or notary public in the form in the Schedule (Statutory Declarations Act 1960, s 2). A power of attorney is valid in Peninsular Malaysia only once a true copy has been deposited with the High Court registry (Powers of Attorney Act 1949, s 4).
What to do first
- Lost your MyKad? Report it and apply for a replacement at JPN.
- Need a statutory declaration? Find a Commissioner for Oaths (often located near court complexes) and bring your MyKad.
- Giving someone power to act for you (for example to sell land)? Use a lawyer and deposit the power of attorney at the High Court.
- Muslim marriages are registered with the state religious department; non-Muslim marriages with JPN.
Which court or agency?
| Problem | Where to go | Law |
|---|---|---|
| MyKad, birth, death, non-Muslim marriage | National Registration Department (JPN) | Act 78; Act 299; Act 164 |
| Muslim marriage registration | State Islamic religious department / Syariah court | State Islamic family law |
| Statutory declaration | Commissioner for Oaths, Magistrate, notary public | Act 783 |
| Power of attorney deposit | High Court registry | Act 424 |
Read the guides
Family law: marriage, divorce, maintenance and custodyMuslim family law and Islamic estate planningGlossary of legal terms
Tools
Key laws — read the copy
| Act 78 | National Registration Act 1959 Akta Pendaftaran Negara 1959 | PDF · PDF (BM) · Official ↗ |
| Act 299 | Births and Deaths Registration Act 1957 Akta Pendaftaran Kelahiran dan Kematian 1957 | PDF · PDF (BM) · Official ↗ |
| Act 152 | Registration of Births and Deaths (Special Provisions) Act 1975 Akta Pendaftaran Kelahiran dan Kematian (Peruntukan-Peruntukan Khas) 1975 | PDF · PDF (BM) · Official ↗ |
| Act 783 | Statutory Declarations Act 1960 Akta Akuan Berkanun 1960 | PDF · PDF (BM) · Official ↗ |
| Act 424 | Powers of Attorney Act 1949 Akta Surat Kuasa Wakil 1949 | PDF · PDF (BM) · Official ↗ |
| Act 164 | Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act 1976 Akta Membaharui Undang-Undang (Perkahwinan dan Perceraian) 1976 | PDF · PDF (BM) · Official ↗ |
| Act 303 | Islamic Family Law (Federal Territory) Act 1984 Akta Undang-Undang Keluarga Islam (Wilayah-Wilayah Persekutuan) 1984 | PDF · PDF (BM) · Official ↗ |
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