Maistraatti (or the Local Register Offices as they were known in English) is no longer called Maistraatti. On 1 January 2020, the old state organism where foreigners had to register if they intended to live permanently in Finland, merged with the Population Register Centre to create the new Digital and Population Data Services Agency.
The new agency, which has over 900 employees and operates in 36 towns all over Finland, is now responsible for the maintenance of the Finnish Population Information system and for promoting the digitalization of the society.
Except for its intricate name (Digi- ja väestötietovirasto, in Finnish) and the new logos, users will hardly notice the difference, as the new agency will continue to provide the same services offered by its predecessor, Maistraatti.
Marriage, address and guardianship authority
The Digital and Population Data Services Agency performs public notary services and civil marriages (it is also the right place to register marriages -and divorces- celebrated abroad or to investigate if there are marriage impediments).
The agency also deals with name and address changes (moves must be always notified) and guardianship. In addition, it develops electronic identity solutions and maintains centralized support services such as Suomi.fi.
“The guiding principle for all our activities is the promotion of digitalization in society. We will support citizens in the use of public administration services and promote the even smoother functioning of Finnish society. This will require the open-minded approach to the use of technology, but also a new type of operating culture and closer than before cooperation between various actors,” says Janne Viskari, Director General of the Finnish Digital Agency.
