Legal identity for all: Why we need to link CRVS and ID management systems

Proof of legal identity is one of the most important things you can own. It unlocks access to basic services and empowers you to exercise your rights. It helps you open a bank account, claim benefits, travel, seek legal protection, and more. Providing identity for all is fundamental to several of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and an SDG target in its own right. We need to redouble efforts if we’re to achieve it by 2030. A CRVS system registers vital events – including births, deaths, marriages, and divorces – on a continuous and permanent basis. An ID system is a logical extension of a CRVS system. Linking these systems has significant benefits.