This Handbook offers background, specifications and practical examples for the improvement and/or establishment of civil registration, vital statistics and identity management systems. It presents model organizational and legal arrangements, as well as ideal descriptions, processes and protocols that are considered the gold standard. Although some national examples are offered, this text is not a technical report describing country practices, but a model to strive to. It aims to encourage countries to undertake long-term self-sustaining programmes of strengthening the management and interoperability of their civil registration, vital statistics and identity systems.