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Birth Certificate Registration Procedure Online/Offline in India 2024
Birth Registration is the first step to establishing a person's legal identity.
It is the foundation for recognizing a person's existence in the eyes of the government, allowing them to access basic civil rights and services including Education, Healthcare, and more.
However, lack of awareness or incomplete documentation can lead to delays in registering a birth.
In this article, we’ll break down the step-by-step process of registering a birth and obtaining a birth certificate.
You will also gain insights on how to check the status of a birth certificate after registration.
Table of Contents
What is Birth Certificate Registration in India?
Birth certificate registration is the process of registering a child's birth with relevant government authority to establish a legal identity for the child.
The registration process usually involves providing necessary documentation and paying a nominal fee. To coordinate and supervise all birth-related registrations without complications, the government has appointed the Chief Registrar of Birth and Death.
Benefits of Birth Certificate Registration
Having a birth certificate ensures easy access to all government schemes and benefits. Here are a few benefits of birth certificate registration:
Proof of Identity
A child without a legal birth registration lacks an official identity. Services such as healthcare, education, government schemes, and social services require a birth certificate.
Evidence of Indian Nationality
The birth certificate serves as evidence of nationality. It helps to register as a voter, apply for an Aadhar Card, or obtain a Permanent Account Number Card (PAN Card).
Evidence of Age
Many administrative and judicial procedures require age verification. Applying for schools, driving licence, and marriage registry requires a birth certificate to prove the age.
Applications for Visas and Passports
For passport and visa applications you need to show the birth certificate. It proves your identification and age, which are essential for the issue of travel documents.
Inheritance of Property Rights
A birth certificate serves as proof of an individual's lineage and inheritance. It verifies the relationship between the individual and their parents, facilitating the seamless transfer of ancestral property and assets.
When to Register for a Birth Certificate?
A child's birth must be registered with a recognized government authority within 21 days either through online or offline mode.
Many state governments have dedicated birth registration portals where you can register births and obtain birth certificates.
Here are some things to keep in mind:
- You can register the birth of your child within 21 days with minimal paperwork.
- When you register after 21 days but below 30 days, complete the process in the registrar's office with prior sanction.
- Registering after 30 days but before a year requires a written sanction from a higher authority and an affidavit.
- Registration of birth after one year will require assistance from magistrate with proper documentation plus an additional fee.
These provisions ensure that birth registration is possible even if you miss timelines.
Documents Required for Birth Certificate Registration
The table below outlines the paperwork required to register a birth and obtain a birth certificate:
Please note that the required documents for birth cert registration can vary based on the region or nature of birth (home, hospitals, etc).
Check with your local registration centers for location specific requirements.
*Mandatory Documents
How to Apply for a Birth Certificate in India?
The procedure to apply for a birth certificate is pretty straightforward.
You can utilize government birth registration portals or visit your local registrar’s office with minimal documentation to report the birth and kickstart the registration.
Here’s a breakdown to the step-by-step procedure to apply. Ensure you do not miss a step to avoid rejection of birth certificate registration:
Apply for a Birth Certificate Online
Applying for a birth certificate online is convenient as you can do it from home. Here is the process:
- Step 1: Log in or register on the CRS website or state portals. Locate birth registration section and access the form.
- Step 2: Fill in the form with accurate details. Scan and upload the copies of the necessary documents.
- Step 3: Pay the prescribed fees and submit the form. Upon submission, you’ll receive an application number, which you can use to check the status of your application.
Apply for a Birth Certificate Offline
People who prefer in-person applications can submit the birth registration form offline. Here is the process to follow:
- Step 1: Visit the birth registration office/panchayat/Municipal Corporation near you to get your birth certificate registration form.
- Step 2: Fill out the birth certificate registration form and submit it with all the documents within 21 days.
- Step 3: Make the payment. After successful payment and verification, the Registrar will verify the documents and issue the birth certificate.
To simplify the process of birth date registration, the government appoints the following officials who take charge as the Registrars:
Charges for Birth Certificate Registration
The fees for getting a birth certificate is different in some states and local governing bodies. Here’s the typical fee structure:
Birth Certificate Registration for Indians Living Abroad
A birth certificate is important for NRIs to prove their Indian citizenship. You need it to apply for Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards and Person of Indian Origin (PIO) cards. It also recognises your Indian rights and heritage. Here is the registration process for Indians living abroad:
- Register a child's birth in person by contacting the Indian Consulate/Embassy overseas within one year.
- Sign an Undertaking-Registration of a Newborn Child and submit supporting documents and the registration fee.
- After submission and verification, the Embassy or Consulate will issue a Certificate of Registration of Birth as an Indian National.
You can register online as well at the Indian Citizenship Online portal.
Birth Certificate Registration for an Adopted Child
Case 1: What If the Birth of an Adopted Child is Already Registered?
- If an adopted child’s birth is registered already, they should have a proper birth certificate and name and address of place of birth.
- The place and date of birth will not change during adoption. However, if the adoption order and place of birth differ, the Registrar can request to effect necessary changes.
- After making the necessary changes, the adoptive parents receive the complete and revised birth certificate of the adopted child.
Case 2: What to do If the Birth is Not Registered
- If there is an unregistered birth, the place of adoption becomes the place of birth.
- The Registrar of that area registers the name, place, and adoptive parents' names. If the date of birth is unknown, a Chief Medical Officer or a physician can determine it.
- The birth reporting form's column for the parents' names shall be blank. Later, the Registrar registers on the basis of the adoption deed and the birth reporting form.
- They will then issue the birth certificate with the name of the adoptive parents.
What is a Delayed Birth Registration?
If a birth is not registered within 21 days, the registration process becomes tedious as it involves additional steps like getting an affidavit from parents/ legal guardians or Medical Personnel.
The affidavit must be signed under oath by the attesting party affirming the birth took place at the claimed date and time to the best of their knowledge.
This type of birth documentation is referred to as delayed birth registration or late birth registration.
Documents Required for Delayed Birth Registration
If you miss the 21-day registration deadline, you will need to submit the following documents to obtain the birth certificate:
- Non-Availability Certificate
- School Leaving Certificate
- Joint Photo Affidavit of Parents
- Passport Size Photographs of Parents
- Hospital Records
Where to Download the Birth Certificate Application Form in India?
Download the birth certificate from your respective state portal’s website. Given below is the link of different state portals:
Who Can Register the Birth of a Child?
Knowing who can register a child's birth is necessary for an easy process. The people who can register a newborn on time are:
How to Check the Status of Birth Certificate?
You must check your birth certificate registration status post-registration to download it on time. And also to look of any delay or additional process you must go through.
One can check the status of a birth certificate in both online and offline ways. Here’s a breakdown of the steps to check:
Check Birth Certificate Registration Status Online
- Step 1: Open the local municipal corporation or the respective state’s civil registration site.
- Step 2: Navigate to the Birth Certificate section
- Step 3: Enter your registration number to check the status.
Additionally, some state websites ask you to provide your name and date of birth for verification. Apart from this, some states allow you to download your birth certificate from the online portal once it is processed.
Check Birth Certificate Registration Status Offline
To check the status offline,
- Step 1: Visit the municipal corporation office, panchayat, or local civil registration authority.
- Step 2: Provide the registration number to the official and they will check the status and will notify you.
Additionally, you should carry a valid ID proof to verify your identity when you inquire about the birth certificate status.
How to Download Birth Certificate?
The process to download the birth certificate online is as follows:
- Go to the national or state portal where you registered.
- Login with your application ID/password OR registration number (whichever applicable) and enter the captcha code (if necessary).
- Add all details asked for and you’ll get the list of all children born on that date.
- Click the download or view option next to your name to get your certificate.You have to pay a minimum of Rs. 2 or more, depending on the state to download your birth certificate
How to Verify the Authenticity of Birth Certificate?
You need to ensure your birth certificate is natural to be valid. Below are the cautious steps that you need to follow to authenticate the birth certificate:
- Check for Seals, Stamps, and Signatures: A genuine birth certificate will have an official seal, signature, and stamp from the issuing authority. Match these with the official facts available.
- Scan the QR Code: If the birth certificate was issued online by CRS, you can scan the code available on your certificate, and it will redirect you to the official website of CRS. Here, you can check the information with the database to validate it.
- Use the Registration Number: The CRS system or individual state government portals generate each birth certificate with a unique registration number. One can use this number to verify the birth certificate's authenticity.
How to Notarise a Birth Certificate?
Notarising a birth certificate refers to obtaining a certified copy from a licensed notary. It is commonly used to verify the authenticity and validity of a birth certificate for use in other countries.
This is necessary when presenting a birth certificate in court for immigration, visa, and school admissions.
If you need to present a birth certificate to the authorities for legal mediation, there will be a certificate notarization.
The procedures to notarise a birth certificate are as follows:
- Firstly, ensure you have received a duly certified copy of the birth certificate from local government agencies or municipal registrars.
- Search for a licensed notary in your locality, whether through publications or advertisements from the judiciary.
- Go with the original birth certificate and your legal documents to the notary for authentication.
- The notary services make necessary legal changes and provide the notarised birth certificate to the person.
Can I Obtain a Duplicate Copy of Birth Certificate?
Yes, you can obtain a duplicate/replacement copy of the original birth certificate by following the given points:
- Step 1: Visit the municipal corporation office in your birth city.
If the birth is in a town with multiple municipal zones, go to that region's zone or ward office. (For instance, if the birth is in the area of the G-South Ward of the BMC, apply to the ward office in Mumbai, Maharashtra.)
- Step 2: Pay a nominal cost to obtain the birth certificate form. Fill it out carefully with all the information in block letters.
- Step 3: Upon submission, you will receive a receipt along with instructions regarding the timeline for obtaining a copy directly from the office.
In conclusion, the birth certificate is a legal document that proves your identity. It gives you access to healthcare, education, and social benefits. Understanding the steps and requirements is necessary for registering a birth on time. And also for managing processes like delayed registration and name changes. Getting a birth certificate is an easy task to ensure your place in the official record of the country and in life.
FAQs about Birth Certificate Registration
What makes a birth certificate crucial?
In India, how many birth certificate registration centres exist?
In what way can I apply for a certificate of birth?
When is the best time to get a birth certificate?
In India, who is in charge of birth certificate registration?
What happens if I wait 21 days to file for a birth certificate?
Who are the birth registrars in the countryside?
Who are the birth registrars in metropolitan areas?
How can I submit an online birth certificate application?
Where can I go to get a birth certificate application?
How can I access my online birth certificate download?
Do birth certificates arrive via mail automatically?
Who issues birth certificates in India?
What is the registration number on the birth certificate?
Important Articles about Birth Certificate Registration & Process in India
Disclaimer
- This is an informative article provided on 'as is' basis for awareness purpose only and not intended as a professional advice. The content of the article is derived from various open sources across the Internet. Digit Life Insurance is not promoting or recommending any aspect in the article or its correctness. Please verify the information and your requirement before taking any decisions.
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