A Guide to Applying for a Birth Certificate Online As Per New Rules

A birth certificate is a crucial paper that can also be helpful in various legal purposes. These purposes can include determining citizenship, applying to leverage government schemes, employment, visas, and even solemnizing marriage abroad.

However, natives have multiple alternatives, as they can visit the nearby Municipal Corporation office or Gram Panchayat to apply. The real nightmare is for non-residents who want to obtain it for their wards. Besides location, they suffer because of inadequate knowledge and resources. Fortunately, an online birth registration alternative is available at present.

This write-up will help you discover how to obtain it online.

Step-by-Step Guide to Registering Birth in India from Anywhere

Let’s discover the guidelines that can help you apply for your birth certificate online.

Understand the Jurisdiction

The very first step is to find out the jurisdiction. This is actually the authority or control over a particular area. Considering the birth proof, you need to find out the place of the birth. It can be a city, a village, abroad, a vehicle, or anywhere. So, the first step is to discover it and then visit the local authority, which can be the gram panchayat (in the village) or a municipal corporation office (in cities). India has many centers located in different states, union territories, and villages where these offices are located. Discover which one yours is.

Timely Registration:

The next step is to understand the duration (till you can register it). In India, this duration is 21 days from the day of its occurrence. The Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, states it clearly. But states have leverage to customize this duration. This is why some states have a 30-day period to get it registered without paying any extra amount as a late fee.

Gather the Required Documents

The very next concern is to get ready with supporting documents. These documents will prove the date, place, and relatives of the applicant. Let’s figure out the checklist for these papers:

  • Application form (available at https://crsorgi.gov.in/web/index.php/auth/signup)
  • Proof of birth, which can be a hospital discharge summary, maternity certificate, or affidavit by parents, school certificate, jail incharge, or driver’s letter (if it occurred on a vehicle),
  • Identity proof of parents (which can be an Aadhaar card, a voter ID, or a or a passport)
  • Religion proof of each parent (recently added for adoption)
  • Marriage certificate of parents (if applicable)
  • Address proof (e.g., Aadhaar card, utility bills, rent agreement)

Fill Out the Application Form

Now that you have all the supporting papers, visit the site: https://crsorgi.gov.in/web/index.php/auth/signUp and download a form for birth registration. And then, fill it out accurately, providing all necessary details, which can include the name of the child, date and place of birth, parents’s names, their religions, etc.

Visit the Municipal Office

Now, you can take its physical copy to the municipal corporation and submit the form. It will require photocopies or originals of the aforementioned supporting documents. While visiting, ensure that you have the original supporting documents. This is how the verification process can be simply passed through without any glitches.

Submit the Application

Now, you should get a printed version of the application form after scanning and resizing and then, upload. Thereafter, read the guidelines thoroughly while uploading the duly filled-out form.

And for those who are able, submit the complete application form while enclosing the supporting documents at the municipal corporation office. Thereafter, a similar process for verification will go on in the backend.

Receive a Message

Once your application is successfully submitted, you will receive a confirmation email on your registered email ID. This will be a notification stating that your application has been successfully submitted. In return, the registrar will send a receipt for the application.

Verification and Inspection

If you’re concerned about the length of the verification process, you should know that the municipal authority may verify each document by cross-checking it with hospital records or visiting the birth place.

Pay the Fee (if applicable)

However, this service is very affordable. The application fee is nominal, and the prescribed amount would be paid at the municipal office counter. For online applicants, there would be an option available while submitting the application. At that time, you can pay it through your debit card.

Considering the amount, it’s INR 5 for registration. But if the registration is applied after 21 days, the penalty will be levied, which is INR 2 per day. This amount will be charged until 30 days after the birth occurrence. If the span exceeds, the penalty turns into INR 25 and a later fee of INR 10. 

So, always consider the fee factor and apply for a birth registration as soon as possible.

Collect the Birth Certificate

As soon as your application is verified, the registrar will issue it. You may collect it in person. Or, you maylook into your registered email ID within the predefined time that the registrar or authority has mentioned.  

Follow-up (if necessary)

If there are any problems with the birth registration, consult with a certified legal consultant. Or, you can inquire with the municipal authority. It will guide you on how to successfully order a birth certificate online. If you require any additional detail, it will guide you.

Additional Steps for Late Registration

Sometimes, there may be some discrepancies or flaws that can leave the registrar suspicious. Because of this, he may reject your application. If you do not receive the certificate within said timeframe, you can consult with the municipal authority or a legal consultant.

A Religion Certificate is a Must for Birth Certificates

The Home Ministry has drafted new model rules. Under this amendment, parents of a newborn child now have to separately record their religion in a document and submit it like other supporting documents during the birth registration process.

Previously, the registrar used to note only the family’s religion. But now, the case will be different. Both the father’s and mother’s religion certificates will be required. This regulation will be implemented in the case of adoption as well. All state governments have been informed and notified of these changes so they can be enforced easily.

The Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2023, wasamended in the previous year. It was the last monsoon session of Parliament. These changes allow the use of a birth certificate as the only document for multiple purposes. These purposes include admission to any school or educational institution, obtaining a driving license, voter card, Aadhaar card registration, marriage certificate proof, and government job appointments. The bill also tabled provisions for digital registration and online delivery of birth and death certificates.

Moreover, these changes will help in establishing national and state-level databases of registered births and deaths. It will also enhance the efficiency of public service delivery and social benefits. The records will be transparent. 

Conclusion

Obtaining a birth certificate in India is a multi-step procedure that requires timely registration, the enclosure of supporting documents, and an application form to submit to the municipal corporation. Later, it can be obtained from the registered email address. An update introduced according to which a separate religion certificate for each parent will be required.

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