What is the procedure to get a birth certificate?

If you are an Indian and are expecting a child soon, it is always important to know the procedure for getting a birth certificate for your baby. Applying for a birth certificate right after your child is born is relatively simple but may get complicated if you delay it beyond that. Let's discuss some details which can help you register for a birth certificate for your little one.

A Birth Certificate is issued by the Municipal Corporation/Municipal Council in urban areas whereas in rural areas the authority is the Tehsildar at the Taluka level, while the authority at the village level is the Gram Panchayat Office.

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Process to apply for a Birth Certificate

One can apply for a birth certificate following the below-mentioned procedure:

Step 1: Get a birth Certificate Registration Form from the registrar's office (from your municipal authority).

Step 2: When a child is born in a hospital, the form is provided by the Medical Officer In-charge.

Step 3: Fill in the form within 21 days of the birth of the child.

Step 4: If birth is not registered within 21 days of its occurrence, the birth certificate is issued after police verification.

Step 5: Once the verification of the birth records (date, time, place of birth, parent's ID proof, nursing home etc.) is done by the registrar, the birth certificate is issued to the applicant.

Step 6: 7 days after applying for a birth certificate, follow up with municipal authority to obtain the birth certificate.

Step 7: By providing a self-addressed envelope at the municipality office, the birth certificate is posted to the respective address within 7-14 working days.

 

What is the fee for Birth Certificate registration?

The registration fee for a birth certificate is 20 INR with a late fee added if you are applying after 21 days of the child's birth.

 

What documents does one require to apply for a Birth Certificate?

Following documents are required to apply for birth certificate:

Parents birth certificates

Marriage certificate of the parents

Proof of birth letter in hospital

Parents' identity proof (for verification)

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How to apply for a Birth Certificate in India?

As the Indian Government has now majorly made a foray into the digital space, obtaining a birth certificate using the old way might be very slow. Now, a few urban cities have a handy online registration tool to apply for a birth certificate. You can go online and check whether your city or town falls into that category.

 

Online Registration Process

Below is the birth certificate process in India through an online website:

Visit the website crsorgi.gov.in

Look on the left where you will find a Sign-Up button

To register, click on the sign up for 'General Public.'

The Signup box will appear as a pop-up. Fill all your valid details in this box like username, user ID, district or town/village, your mobile number, place of birth and so on.

If the field of the Registration Unit shows the username and is active, it means that your area is valid for online registration.

Enter the verification code and click on the Register tab.

After registration, a Thank You message will pop up along with a prompt to check your email ID to confirm the registration.

Check your email inbox. It will tell you to set up a new password for login.

Set it up and sign in once again.

A form will pop up to fill in the name of your child, his or her parents, and the location.

Fill it and submit after 24 hours.

Take its print out and download a soft copy on your computer

Visit the office of the Registrar of your region

Get the form attested either by him or the Sub-Registrar.

 

Offline Registration Process

To register a birth certificate in India through an offline process, below are the steps which talk about how to issue a birth certificate from municipal authorities:

Get a birth certificate registration form by visiting your municipal corporation office

Submit the letter that was given by the hospital at the time of your baby's birth by the medical in-charge.

Now you will have to fill the form within 21 days of your baby's birth

Post that, the office will verify details such as place and time of birth, parents name, gender, address, nursing home/hospital etc.

If the verification is all in place, you will get the birth certificate sent to your address after 7-15 days.

Just to be sure, follow up with the office after 7 days.

If there is any urgency, you can in some cases get the birth certificate sent to you within a week by providing a self-addressed envelope.

In case your baby's birth is not registered within 21 days, police verification will take place in order to issue it, directed by the revenue authorities. This usually tends to take a longer time, and hence you should register for your baby's birth certificate as soon as your little one is born.

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Why is a Birth Certificate important?

The birth certificate is very important for a child’s admission to schools or colleges, hospital benefits and in establishing inheritance and property claims. It is the first right of a child and establishes his or her identity. It becomes important for the following processes:

Establishing age for insurance reasons

Proving parentage

Age proof for employment

Age proof for marriage

Admission to schools/colleges

Establishing age for enrolling in Electoral Rolls

Registering in NPR (National Population Register)

Application for a passport

Immigration requirements (like getting a green card)

A person without a birth certificate will not be identified as an Indian citizen & will not be eligible to reap all the benefits/ rights. So, always remember to get your child's birth certificate as soon as possible just after his/her birth.