Application Process for Birth Certificate in India, Including Fees and Required Documents
When anticipating the arrival of a child, Indian parents should be aware of the process for obtaining a birth certificate for their newborn. A birth certificate is essential for verification purposes, as it establishes the child's date of birth and serves as proof for various important tasks such as school admission, passport applications, and more. Neglecting to obtain a birth certificate could potentially deny a child their right to a name, official identity, and nationality.
The Importance of a Birth Certificate
A birth certificate holds significant importance in a child's life. It serves several purposes, including:
- Age verification for insurance purposes
- Establishing parenthood
- Age proof for job applications
- Age proof for marriage registration
- School admission
- Age proof for enrollment in Electoral Rolls
- Registration in the National Population Register (NPR)
- Passport applications
- Immigration requirements (e.g., obtaining a green card)
Required Documents for Registering a Birth Certificate
Days or Service
To apply for a birth certificate, parents will need the following documents:
Charges (INR)
- Their own birth certificates
- Proof of the child's birth, provided by the hospital where the birth occurred
- Identity proof for both parents
- The parents' marriage certificate
Authorized Parties to Register a Child's Birth
Standard Registration (Within 21 days of birth)
The regulations governing who can register a child's birth vary depending on the circumstances:
₹20 - ₹50 (varies by state)
- Home birth: The oldest family member, head of the household, or closest relative
- Birth in a moving vehicle: The person in charge of the vehicle
- Birth at a boarding house: The manager or owner of the boarding house
- Abandoned child: The local police or village headman
- Jail birth: The jail superintendent or in-charge
- Birth at a hospital or nursing home: The hospital's medical officer in charge
- Delivery at a medical college or sub-division hospital: The hospital's deputy superintendent or referral hospital's officer in charge
Registration Fees for a Birth Certificate
Late Registration (After 21 days but within 30 days)
The fees for registering a birth certificate in India are as follows:
₹25 - ₹100
| Days or Service | Charges (INR) || -------------- | ------------ || Standard (within 21 days) | ₹20 - ₹50 (depending on state) || Late (within 30 days) | ₹25 - ₹100 || Delayed (within 1 year) | ₹50 - ₹200 || Very Late (after 1 year requires court affidavit) | ₹500 - ₹1000 |
Fees may differ slightly depending on the state or municipal corporation. Additional charges might be levied for corrections or duplicate certificates. Some states offer free registration if conducted within the stipulated timeframe. For the most accurate fee information, consult the municipal corporation or local registrar's office.
Delayed Registration (After 30 days but within 1 year)
Issuance of a Birth Certificate by the Appropriate Authority
₹50 - ₹200
In India, under Section 7 of the RBD Act, the Registrar, appointed by the government for each municipal corporation, is responsible for issuing birth certificates. In smaller regions or districts, a local authority or Panchayat assumes this responsibility. The duties and powers of a Sub-registrar, as outlined in Section 7(5) of the Act, are identical to those of the Registrar.
Registration Process in Rural and Urban Regions
Very Late Registration (After 1 year, requires court affidavit)
In rural areas, the following authorities can issue a birth certificate:
₹500 - ₹1000
- In Panchayats, Panchayat secretaries
- In 3 Union Territories (Daman and Diu, Goa, Puducherry) and 15 states (Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Dadra, and Nagar Haveli, Maharashtra, Tripura, Rajasthan, and Uttarakhand), village-level workers or circle officers
- In Arunachal Pradesh, school teachers in Nagaland and Mizoram
- In Jammu and Kashmir and Chandigarh, police officers
- In Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, village accountants or administrative officers
In urban cities, either the Registrar, Sub-registrar, Health Officer, or the Para-Medical Staff Officer in charge has the authority to issue a birth certificate.
Birth certificates can be obtained free of charge if applied for within 21 days of the child's birth. If submission is delayed, a late fee will be charged (ranging from ₹25 to ₹100, depending on the location). For details on applying for a birth certificate online or offline, refer to the guidance provided by the local municipal authorities or visit the official website: crsorgi.gov.in.
For Indian citizens residing abroad, birth certificates can also be obtained through the respective Indian Embassy or Consulate in their country of residence. By registering their child's birth and obtaining a birth certificate, they can ensure legal recognition in India, and it may facilitate the process for obtaining an Indian passport or OCI card.
For adoptive children, birth certificates are crucial for legal recognition, schooling, inheritance, and other official purposes. The process varies based on whether the adoption is facilitated by CARA (Central Adoption Resource Authority) or privately. To apply for a birth certificate for an adopted child, parents must provide the adoption deed or court order, as well as proof of the child's birth date (or an affidavit stating the approximate date).
To check the status of an applied birth certificate, visit the state/civic body portal or the local registrar's office with the application number or registration number. Alternatively, contact the helpline number provided by the municipal authorities to inquire about the status.
Birth certificates serve as a fundamental testament of a child's right to identity. It is crucial for parents to apply for a birth certificate within 21 days of the baby's birth to avoid complications, additional fees, or extensive processes. A birth certificate signifies a child's existence in the world and is essential for every individual.
References
- National Informatics Centre, eGovernance Division (nwb.gov.in). (n.d.). Birth Registration Online. Retrieved June 5, 2023, from https://crsorgi.gov.in/
- Ministry of Women and Child Development (wcd.nic.in). (n.d.). Child Adoption. Retrieved June 5, 2023, from https://wcd.nic.in/upload/adoption2.pdf
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (n.d.). Consular Services. Retrieved June 6, 2023, from https://indianembassy.gov.bf/node/16032
- Ministry of Women and Child Development (wcd.nic.in). (n.d.). Birth Certificate of Child born to Non Resident Indian. Retrieved June 6, 2023, from https://wcd.nic.in/writereaddata/Portal/birth_certificate.pdf
- Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (mohfw.gov.in). (n.d.). Birth and Death Registration. Retrieved June 5, 2023, from https://www.mohfw.gov.in/diseases-and-conditions/reportable-diseases/birth-death-registration
A birth certificate is not just a document for official purposes; it also plays a significant role in a child's health-and-wellness. For instance, it is required for insurance purposes, which can impact a child's access to essential care. Moreover, parenting responsibilities extend beyond the biological domain into the realm of science, considering the significance of a birth certificate in establishing legal parenthood.
