In India, birth registration is compulsory under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969. The system is overseen by the Registrar General of India, and registration is done by state appointed registrars at local bodies such as municipalities and gram panchayats.
Why it matters more now
The Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Act, 2023, in force from October 1, 2023, made the birth certificate a single document to prove date and place of birth for people born after that date. It can be used for admission to schools, issue of driving licences, voter registration, marriage registration, government jobs, passports and Aadhaar, among other purposes. Birth and death records are also linked to a national database.
Time limit
- A birth should be reported within 21 days.
- For births in hospitals, the hospital usually reports it to the registrar.
- For home births, the head of the household or the person present must report it.
Registration within 21 days is generally free, and the first copy of the certificate is given without charge in many states.
Online registration through CRS
The Civil Registration System (CRS) portal of the Registrar General allows online reporting in many states.
- Visit crsorgi.gov.in and sign up as a general public user.
- Log in and choose Birth Registration.
- Fill in details of the child, parents and place of birth.
- Upload supporting documents if asked.
- Submit and note the application number.
After verification by the registrar, the certificate can be downloaded or collected. Some states use their own portals, so check your state’s process.
Also Read: How to Apply for Passport Online in India: Documents, Fees and Steps on Passport Seva | Voter ID Apply Online: How to Register as a New Voter With Form 6 and Download Your e-EPIC
Late registration
- Between 21 and 30 days: allowed with a small late fee.
- Between 30 days and one year: needs permission of a designated authority, an affidavit and a late fee.
- After one year: needs an order from a magistrate or authority as notified under the amended rules, after verification.
Adding the child’s name
If the name was not given at registration, it can be added later within the time allowed by the rules, usually without fee within a set period.
Corrections
Errors can be corrected through the registrar with supporting documents.
Bottom line
Register every birth within 21 days. After the 2023 amendment, the birth certificate has become one of the most important documents a person will need.
Source / स्रोत: Civil Registration System, Office of the Registrar General, Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner
