Obtain Birth Certificate

What is a Birth Certificate?

A Birth Certificate is a very important identity document. This document makes it possible for anyone in possession of it to benefit from a gamut of services offered by the Indian Government to its citizens.

Why is Birth Certificate Essential?

It becomes necessary to obtain a Birth Certificate because it serves to establish the date and fact of one’s birth for a whole range of purposes, like acquiring the right to vote, admission to schools and to the Government Service, claiming the right to marry at the legally permissible age, settlement of inheritance and property rights, and obtaining Government-issued identity documents like a driving licence or passport.

The Legal Framework

In India, it is mandatory under the law (as per the Registration of Births & Deaths Act, 1969 to register every birth/stillbirth with the concerned State/UT Government within 21 days of its occurrence. The Government accordingly has provided for a well-defined system for registration of Birth, with the Registrar General at the centre and the Chief Registrars in the States, running through district registrars to the village and town registrars at the periphery.

What You Need to Do To Get Birth Certificate?

1. To apply for a Birth Certificate, you must first register the birth. The birth has to be registered with the concerned local authorities within 21 days of its occurrence, by filling up the form prescribed by the Registrar. Birth Certificate is then issued after verification with the actual records of the concerned hospital.(In case the birth has not been registered within the specified time of its occurrence, the certificate is issued after due police verification ordered by the revenue authorities.)

Process for getting Birth Certificate:

The process of getting birth certificate might differ across states in India.But in general the process can be like as below.

1. Birth certificate will be issued by the municipality or village panchayat where the baby was born (Hospital location). Approach the institution.
2.  Keep the following documents ready
• Birth Certificate Application Form (To be purchased) signed by both father and mother.
• Rs.10 Stamp Paper and one bond paper.
• Rs. 5 Revenue stamp to be pasted on the application form.
• Photocopies of ID cards of both father and mother of child.
3. Submit the documents in municipality/panchayat along with the fees(Around Rs.10)
4. Collect the birth certificate after 10 days by showing the receipt.
5. For getting Birth certificate within 2 days pay an additional fee of Rs.100.

NB: As it will be really difficult to change the name in the Birth Certificate once applied, fill the details with  extreme caution. You will need to fill the details in English and in your mother tongue.

Reference : How to get birth Certificate in India ?