If you are planning to travel abroad with a child or looking for admission of your child in a foreign school or university, you might need the attested birth certificate of your child.

However, in India, almost 38% of Indian children under the age of 5 don’t have a birth certificate. Birth certificates act as proof of citizenship, but a large number of Indians, including senior citizens, don’t have them. If your kid is one of them, you will also need to apply for a birth certificate to meet the requirements for going abroad.

A lot of people ask various questions when it comes to applying for Indian Birth Certificates. In case you too have questions about the birth certificate application process in India, this FAQ guide is your one-stop platform to get answers to various commonly asked questions.

Does India issue birth certificates?

Yes, India issues birth certificates for children who are born on its land. To apply for birth certification in India, you will need to submit the parents’ birth certificates, marriage certificate of the parents, proof of birth – a letter from the hospital or nursing home, and parents’ identity proof. It takes up to 7 days for authorities to issue a birth certificate.

What are the conditions to obtain a birth certificate in India?

• You need to apply for a birth certificate within 21 days of a child being born. If parents fail to register the child within the stipulated time, they need to pay a late fee if registration is done within a month.

• When a birth is registered after one month but within a year, it needs the written permission of the authority and payment of a late fee. Plus, you also need to present an affidavit.

• When a birth is registered after a year, it can be done only by the magistrate once the birth date is verified.  

Who issues Birth Certificates in India?

In India, the birth has to be registered with the concerned local authority. For example, in Delhi, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, the New Delhi Municipal Corporation, or the Delhi Cantonment Board issues the birth certificate.

In urban areas, Municipal Corporation/Council issues birth certificates, while Tehsildar or Gram Panchayat Office issues birth certificates in rural areas.

What to do if an Indian couple gives birth to a child outside India?

For children born outside India, their parents should register their birth under the provisions of the Citizenship Act 1955 and Citizens (Registration at Indian Consulates) Rules 1956 at the Indian Missions. However, if the parents of the child return to India to settle, the birth can be registered within 60 days from the date of arrival of the child to India. After that, delayed registration provisions apply.  

Can I get a birth certificate from a different place in the same state in India?

No, it is not legal to obtain a birth certificate from a place where you were not born. It can lead to serious implications.

What steps should I take if I don’t have any birth proof?

In this case, you should apply for a Non-Availability of Birth Certificate (NABC). It is issued when the person doesn’t have birth proof. It can be obtained online as well as directly from the municipal corporation upon the fulfillment of documentation and other requirements.

Once you get a birth certificate after following the right procedure, you can easily get attestation process done by hiring a reputable birth certificate attestation service provider.