Digital Birth Certificate to Obtain in India, Here is How

A birth certificate is legal proof that proves one’s citizenship, who the parents are, and where he or she comes from. This document is key to claiming the government and insurance schemes, together with other crucial services. Certainly, it helps in admission to an educational institution, obtaining a driving licence, and preparing for voter lists, Aadhaar cards, marriage registration, and appointments in government jobs. Overall, this document is the complete identity of an individual. That’s why the government emphasises registration. Certainly, it’s a key to unlocking various schemes and services. 

On September 2023, the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Act, 2023 was announced. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has taken on the responsibility of creating a database of registered births and deaths. This database will become a valuable source to efficiently and transparently delivering public services. Also, this centralized database will bring social benefits, as people will be able to access digital certificates. And, the government can digitally register births. It’s in a report. 

Technically, sub-section (2) of Section 1 of the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Act, 2023 (20 of 2023) was finally implemented. Therefore, the Central Government has officially appointed the 1st day of October 2023 as the day of its execution. 

This was done with the permission of both Houses of Parliament, as they passed the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2023 in the last monsoon season. Previously, the Rajya Sabha passed it by voice vote on August 7. On the other hand, the Lok Sabha has done it before, which was on August 1. 

Key Points 

This Act authorizes the Registrar General of India to carry out the responsibility of a national registry of births and deaths. State-appointed Chief Registrar’s and Registrars are obligated to feed data to this national database. Besides, chief registrars would manage similar databases at the state level. 

Before this, parents or relatives had to visit the Municipal Corporation office in their locality to report and register births and deaths with the Registrar. And before it, the medical officer in charge of the hospital where the infant is born must register the birth. Later on, it will be submitted to the municipal corporation. The other update is to provide the Aadhaar number of the parents and the informant’s. Likewise, the birth taken place in a jail, hotel, flight, hotel, or lodge would have to provide the necessary details. 

There is an update in the new Act, that is concerned with the list of births. Now, it will include adoptive parents for non-institutional adoption, biological parents for births through surrogacy, and the single parent (in the case of birth of a child) or unwed mother. The new legislation makes it compulsory to share the national database with authorized authorities, which can be population registers, electoral rolls, and others. But, they have to be approved by the central government. Likewise, state databases can be shared with the authorities that the state government approves. 

According to the Act, any person can appeal to the District Registrar or Chief Registrar to address his or her grievances, provided that it’s just 30 days from the order being received. The District Registrar or Chief Registrar must decide within 90 days from the date of appeal. 

Now comes the point, how to procure the birth certificate online.

So! Those who are looking for support or assistance to obtain their ward’s birth certificate in India online, these steps can be helpful.

Step by Step Guide to Obtain a Birth Certificate Online

Let’s discover the procedure to apply for birth certificate in India online. 

Step 1. Visit the Official Government Portal

You need to visit the official website of the concerned state or union territory’s municipal corporation. In villages, it can be panchayat where the application for a birth proof can be submitted. Remember, every state is different and has its own dedicated website to ensure fast civil registration.

Step 2. Locate the Birth Registration Section

Once you’re on the website, explore the option reserved for birth registration. This can be found under the “e-services” or “online services” or similar kinds of categories.

Step 3. Create an Account

Like other websites, the government website may also ask you to create an account and register yourself. You have to do it and verify your account. Input the OTP, which was sent through the confirmation link on your authentic mobile number.

Step 4. Login

Now, just login to your account by entering the credentials.

Step 5. Fill in the Birth Certificate Application Form

Discover the birth certificate form to apply for, and then input the infant’s name, date of birth, place of birth, parents’ names, and other relevant information. While entering, ensure that the input details are accurate and have no discrepancies.

Step 6. Upload Supporting Documents

Thereafter, enclose the scanned copies of supporting documents. Upload these documents: the hospital discharge summary or bills, proof of residence, and identity documents of the parents, like Aadhar or PAN card. To ensure that your supporting documents meet the specified criteria, read the guidelines thoroughly.

Step 7. Pay the Prescribed Fee

This is a paid service. Though the charges for the birth certificate are minimal. But if you request it after 21 days of birth, it would include the penalty. You may have to pay more than the usual fee.  But the options to pay through are many, like netbanking, debit cards, etc.

Step 8. Submit the Application

Once you are done with everything, like fee submission, click the submit button to finally send your application. Afterward, a reference number or acknowledgment number will pop up, which you should save to track the status of your application.

Later on, you can input this reference number and discover if your application is processed.

Step 9. Verification Process

After submission, the background verification takes place. The municipal authority will carry out its verification. It will check if the details provided in your application are all valid and authentic. Simply put, its officer may visit the hospital to cross-check the details in the records. If there seems to be any discrepancy, it may contact you to provide any additional information.

Step 10. Download the Birth Certificate

If the competent authority approves your application, which is the municipal corporation, you will receive a message or notification on the registered phone number. To cross-check, you can log in to your account by visiting the portal. There will be a birth certificate. Download it. Before that, you should ensure that all the particulars or details in your birth certificate are accurate. Check the name, date of birth, place, and other things if they are in the prescribed format.

Step 11. Print the Certificate

As you download the certificate, get it scanned and keep it secure for other purposes.

Step 12. (Optional) Track Application Status

Some websites can be there, offering tracking features. You may leverage them and discover the status of your application. It will certainly require the reference number or acknowledgement to be provided.

Conclusion

The government may revise its acts and laws to provide convenience and maintain transparency. So, it has introduced digital documentation, wherein birth certificates are also included. The steps to obtain it will be similar if seeking it offline. You should refer to the official website of the relevant municipal corporation or panchayat for the most accurate and up-to-date information.