British Government Crest Rubber Stamp

British Government National registration Rubber Stamp
Approx. 65mm x 55mm

The National Registration Act 1939 (2 & 3 Geo. 6. c. 91) was an Act of Parliament in the United Kingdom. The initial National Registration Bill was introduced to Parliament as an emergency measure at the start of the Second World War.

The Act provided for the establishment of a constantly-maintained National Register of the civilian population of the United Kingdom and the Isle of Man, and for the issuance of identity cards based on data held in the register, and required civilians to present their identity cards on demand to police officers and other authorised persons. Following the passing of the Act by Parliament on 5 September 1939, registrations and the issuing of identity cards commenced on 29 September.

On Friday 29 September 1939, householders were required to record details on the registration forms. On the following Sunday and Monday the enumerators visited every householder, checked the form and then issued a completed identity card for each of the residents. All cards at this time were the same brown/buff colour.