Citizenship Division
Division Pendaftaran Taraf Kebangsaan is responsible for processing applications for citizenship status of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam. This division also provides confirmation of citizenship status in accordance with the Chapters provided under the Brunei National Registration Act, Chapter 15.
History of National Status Registration
On 1st January 1961 the National Status Registration Act 1961 came into force. With the coming into force of this National Registration Act, a Department was formed known as the Immigration and National Registration Department. On 6th September 1962 Mr. Tom Mackie as the National Status Registrar was appointed as the Registrar of Marriages in accordance with Chapter 8 of the Marriage Registration Act in addition to carrying out the existing Positions.
On 11th August 1963 the first Controller of Immigration and National Status Registration terminated his service contract. Awang Mohd Jaafar bin Haji Mohd Daud was appointed as the Registrar of National Status starting on 12th August 1963. On 11th February 1965 Mr. Thomas Patrick Forde was appointed as the Controller of Immigration and also as the new Registrar of National Status.
The National Status Registration Division is responsible for receiving and processing applications based on the laws and regulations of the Brunei National Status Act Chapter 15. The people of Brunei Darussalam are divided into 3 Categories, namely:
- Citizens by Operation of Law under Section 4(1) include the seven (7) indigenous groups of Brunei.
- By Registration under sections 5(1), 5(6) and 6(1)
- By Casting under Chapter 8(1)
The Malay Written Examination Curriculum Book was also officially launched on 1st April 2004 by Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Setia Bakti Diraja Dato Seri Laila Jasa Awang Haji Isa bin Ibrahim, former Minister of Home Affairs and Special Advisor to His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam. The main purpose of publishing the curriculum book is to further improve the quality of services provided by the National Registration Division to the public who apply, especially for those who wish to apply for the Malay Written Examination. (Source: Buku Ristaan, Sempena Jubli Emas Penubuhan Jabatan Imigresen dan Pendaftaran Kebangsaan 1958-2008 (page 99-100).