Birth certificates are one of many important documents that a citizen may have. In India, a Birth Certificate provides particulars about a person's name, the names of their mother and father, date of birth, and place of birth.
Birth certificates in India are given to citizens, upon application, from municipal authorities, city corporation offices, and/or registrar offices. A Birth Certificate in India provides proof of identity, age, and Indian citizenship. According to the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, births must be registered no later than 21 days. After 21 days, a relevant fine is levied for late applications and registration.
The government of India has streamlined the birth registration and birth certificate in India application. You can visit the birth and death registration page at https://services.india.gov.in/service/detail/birth-certificate-1.
In this article, we explore the Birth Certificate in India, how to apply for it, and how to look it up online.
A Birth Certificate in India is an essential document. The birth certificate is a verified and official document recording an individual's birth and particulars. Birth certificates act as a proof of identity, age, and Indian Citizenship.
Indian citizens use Birth Certificates in India when applying for other documents such as driving licences, AADHAR cards, passports, and more. An Indian birth certificate is required when applying for schools and colleges, and claiming property as well.
One of the key roles of a birth certificate is to establish proof of identity. Since the birth certificate in India includes a permanent residence address, along with the person's name and date of birth, it is used as proof of identity when obtaining certain government services and applying for other documents.
A Birth Certificate in India is proof of citizenship. After the citizenship legislation a few years ago, many Indian citizens rushed to apply for their birth certificates even though they were adults. Some people may not have had relatives or adults to register their birth and establish their Indian Citizenship.
You, or your child, can get a birth certificate by registering the birth. Adults can also get birth certificates upon paying a nominal fee! Once the birth is registered, you can apply for the Birth Certificate in India and access it online at any time.
The first step to receiving a Birth Certificate in India is to register the birth. Usually, births are registered within 21 days, post which a late fee is levied. After COVID-19, many states waived the late fee because of hassles and delays with registrations during the pandemic.
For registering a births in India, you will need several documents on hand, which include:
Please note that although these may be the basic set of documents required for most birth certificates in India, individual states or territories will have varying requirements. Be sure to check with your panchayat, municipality, or corporation office for more details about the document required.
You can apply for a birth certificate in India either online or offline, by going to your local Registrar's office in person.
You can apply for and receive a birth certificate for your child even if they don't have a name yet! Once you name your child, you can add their name to their birth certificate with the handy Name Inclusion service. This service is available online and offline at the Registrar's office.
If you're registering the birth post 30 days but within 1 year, you can obtain the permission of the Registrar's office. You will need to pay a small fee and attach an authorised affidavit stating that you have the permission to register late.
If a birth is not registered within 21 days, the same falls under the Delayed Registration provision. You can apply for this by paying a small fee. The concerned registration authority can enter the name within 12 months without any fees.
Although birth certificate application fees vary by state and territory, the registration fee is Rs. 20 for a birth certificate. You may have to pay additional late fee charges if you apply for the Birth certificate in India after 21 days of your child's birth.
To sum up, it is imperative that all Indian citizens have a birth certificate in India. If you're an adult without a birth certificate, follow our handy guide to apply for yours as soon as possible. It's never too late - and the Indian government provides an easy way to apply for and obtain a birth certificate!
You can get a birth certificate for your child even if they don't have a name yet! There is a name inclusion provision on Birth certificates where you can add on the name later on.
Your birth certificate typically arrives at your address within 7 working days.
Ideally, you have to apply for a birth certificate in India within 21 days of the birth. Register at your local municipal corporation (MC) or SDM office, or online.
You may apply later, either offline or online. However, you will need to pay a nominal fee if it crosses 21 days.
Disclaimer: The content on this page is generic and shared only for informational and explanatory purposes. It is based on several secondary sources on the internet, and is subject to changes.
