DVV, EVL or National Archives: where to order?
In Finland, genealogy records are maintained by several different authorities. Where you order depends on which registry the person belonged to and during which period. This article explains all registry keepers and when each applies.
Short answer
In most cases, documents are needed from multiple authorities. It is not enough to order only from "DVV" or "the parish". The correct registry keeper depends on the person's life history.
Registry keepers and when they apply
EVL: Evangelical Lutheran Church
Certificates are ordered from the Lutheran church for all periods when the deceased was a member. A single request to any EVL regional registry covers every Lutheran membership period the deceased had in Finland, regardless of how many times they moved. The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland has 14 regional registries.
DVV: Digital and Population Data Services Agency
DVV provides certificates for periods when the deceased was not a member of any religious community. DVV also maintains the population register for all Finnish residents from 1 October 1999 onwards.
Orthodox Church
If the deceased was a member of the Orthodox Church, certificates are ordered from its central registry. This is a separate organisation from EVL.
National Archives
The National Archives holds very old records not available in electronic registries, as well as records from ceded territories such as Karelia. Processing may take longer than with other authorities.
Swedish authorities
If the deceased or an heir lived in Sweden, certificates are also needed from there. From 1 July 1991 onwards, Skatteverket provides the certificate. Records from before that date are held by Riksarkivet.
How do you know what to order?
In practice, this research is the most time-consuming part when doing it yourself. The registry history must be systematically reviewed and the correct order sent to the right authority.
Sukuselvitys.fi determines the registry history automatically as part of processing your order. You only need to provide the deceased's name, date of birth and date of death. We handle the research and send orders to all required authorities.
Key principle: The chain of official certificates must be unbroken from the deceased's 15th birthday until date of death. If a certificate is missing for any period, whether due to a forgotten move or a change of registry, the estate inventory cannot be properly completed.