How To Get Birth Certificate Of Child?

In India, birth certificates are issued to the citizens, upon application, from the respective municipal authorities, city corporations, and/or registrar offices. It is a proof of identity, age, and Indian citizenship. As per the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, birth of a child should be registered within 21 days. After the period of 21 days has passed, a relevant fine shall be levied for late application and registration.

Proof Of Identity 

One of the most important roles of a birth certificate is to help establish the proof of identity of the holder. As the birth certificate will include a permanent residence address, as well as the name of the individual and date of birth, it will be used as a proof of identity when seeking  certain government services or to apply for other documents. 

Proof Of Indian Citizenship 

A Birth Certificate is also accepted as a proof of citizenship in India. After the respective citizenship legislation was passed a few years ago, a number of Indian citizens rushed to apply for the birth certificates. 

How May One Obtain A Birth Certificate in India

One may get a birth certificate for themselves or their child by registering the birth. An adult may also get a birth certificate by paying a nominal fee. After the birth is registered, he or she may  apply for a Birth Certificate in India which could be accessed online at any time. 

Registering A Birth

The initial step for receiving a Birth Certificate in India will be to register the birth. Generally, births will be registered within 21 days, later than which a late fee would be levied. After COVID-19, a number of states waived late fee due to various hassles and delays with registrations during the pandemic. 

Documents Which Are Needed To Register A Birth in India

To register birth of a person in India, several documents will be needed on hand, including: 

• birth certificate from the respective hospital
• statement of birth from hospital or the place where baby was born 
• marriage certificate of the parents
• Identification documents of the parents, which could be-
• AADHAR 
• Birth Certificate 

It has to be understood that although these could be the basic set of documents necessary for most birth certificates in India, individual states or territories may have some other requirements as well. It is, therefore, advised to cross- check with your respective panchayat, municipality, or corporation office for more details about the documents which are required.

Applying For A Birth Certificate

Nowadays, one may apply for a birth certificate by both online or offline methods, which have been discussed hereunder- 

Online

• The first step would be to visit the national Birth and Death Registration website at https://crsorgi.gov.in/web/index.php/auth/signUp
• The application would have to be downloaded, filled up, and passed on to the local Registrar’s office. One would have to furnish all necessary documents in the office of the Registrar, with the application form.
• After receiving the application form, the Registrar’s office would send you a confirmation email confirming with you the current status of the Birth Certificate application. 
• After having received the confirmation email, the Application Reference Number would have to be entered into on the website mentioned earlier to confirm the current status.
• After having successfully completed the procedure mentioned above, the applicant would   receive an official Birth Certificate. 

Offline In Person 

• In order to apply for the birth certificate via offline method, one would have to visit the  local corporation office, or the office of authorities governing the locality the applicant was born into.
• After going in-person to the local governing body office, they shall issue a birth certificate for a small fee
• The particulars of the birth would have to be furnished to the registrar or respective official at the governing office. They may inquire of the information including the date of birth, and the place where the applicant was born.
• It is advised to visit the the registrar or governing office, after being prepared properly  with all necessary documents required for the birth certificate such as the AADHAAR card, proof of qualification, and an address proof, as required
• After paying the registration fee, registrar or the governing official would issue the birth certificate, provided that the verification process was successful

Fees Required For Birth Certificate

• When the birth is not registered within a period of 21 days, the same shall fall under the Delayed Registration provision. One may apply for a birth certificate by paying a small fee. The concerned registration authority could enter the name within a period of 12 months without applying any fees.
• Though birth certificate application fees may vary from state to state and territory, the registration fee is Rs. 20 for a birth certificate generally. Though one may have to pay an additional late fee, when applying  for the Birth certificates  after 21 days of the birth of the child.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, it is imperative that all citizens have a birth certificate. In case you’re an adult who does not have a birth certificate or need to apply for one, the above discussion could help you guide the normal acceptable procedure for the same. The Indian Govt has provided a simple and easy way to apply for as well as to obtain a birth certificate in India. 

For further information on the subject or to seek guidance for the process involved, you may visit us at Lead India. Also, if you wish to talk to a lawyer for any other matter related to criminal law or civil law or family law, seek free legal advice online, you may contact us.