Birth Registration Online in India: How to Register a Child's Birth
A practical guide to birth registration under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, including the current Civil Registration System (CRS), documents for home and institutional births, certificates and delayed registration.
Current law on birth registration in India
Registration of births is compulsory under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969. The Act is administered at the central level by the Registrar General of India and implemented through State Governments and Union Territory Administrations and their appointed registration authorities.
The Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Act, 2023 came into force on 1 October 2023. Among other changes, it provides for digital registration, electronic delivery of birth and death certificates and national and State-level databases of registered births and deaths.
For a person born on or after 1 October 2023, the birth certificate is recognised by the amended Act as a single document to prove date and place of birth for specified purposes such as admission to an educational institution, driving licence, voter list preparation, marriage registration, specified public employment, passport and Aadhaar.
Who is responsible for reporting a birth?
| Place of birth | Who normally reports the event |
|---|---|
| Hospital, health centre, maternity or nursing home or similar institution | The medical officer in charge or a person authorised by the institution, as provided by law and the applicable rules. |
| House / residence | The head of the household, nearest relative present, or another person responsible under the Act and applicable rules. |
| Other circumstances | The person specified under sections 8 and 9 of the Act and the relevant State/UT rules. |
How to register a child's birth online
- Open the official Civil Registration System or the relevant State/UT birth-registration service. Use the official links in the right-hand panel of this page.
- Select birth registration / report birth. Choose the registration unit having jurisdiction over the place where the birth occurred.
- Enter the event details. These generally include the child's date and place of birth, sex, parents' details, address and informant information.
- Provide the required documents. Requirements depend on whether the birth occurred in an institution, at home, and whether registration is delayed.
- Review and submit. Check names, dates, spelling, place of birth and parent details carefully before final submission.
- Save the acknowledgement or reference number. Use it for tracking, correction requests or communication with the concerned Registrar.
- Follow any local verification requirement. The Registrar may require prescribed forms, originals, self-attested documents, declarations or physical verification depending on the case and applicable rules.
Information generally required for birth registration
- Date and place of birth of the child.
- Name of the child, if already named; where permitted, the name may be added subsequently in accordance with the applicable law and rules.
- Sex of the child.
- Names and prescribed particulars of the parents.
- Address of the parents at the time of birth and permanent address, where required.
- Details of the informant.
- Institutional particulars where the birth occurred in a hospital or other medical institution.
- Statistical information prescribed in the reporting form and applicable rules.
Documents for a birth occurring at home
The exact document list is determined by the competent Registrar and the applicable State/UT rules. Depending on the registration system, applicants may be asked for:
- Prescribed birth reporting form.
- Declaration by the parent(s) or informant, where required.
- Proof of address or residence accepted by the concerned authority.
- Identity documents of the informant or parents where prescribed.
- Supporting evidence required by the Registrar, particularly in delayed cases.
Download: Declaration by Parents for Birth Registration and Birth Certificate (PDF)
Hospital and institutional births
Where a birth occurs in a hospital, health centre, maternity or nursing home or similar institution, the statutory duty to report the birth generally rests on the person in charge of the institution or a person authorised for that purpose. Parents should confirm that the event has been reported and obtain the registration particulars or certificate through the competent Registrar or online service.
Time limit and delayed registration
The normal reporting period is generally 21 days under the applicable registration rules. The presently operative section 13 of the Registration of Births and Deaths Act provides a graded process for delayed registration:
| Delay | Present legal position |
|---|---|
| After the prescribed period but within 30 days | Registration is permitted on payment of the prescribed late fee. |
| After 30 days but within 1 year | Written permission of the District Registrar or other prescribed authority is required, along with the prescribed fee and self-attested document(s) in the prescribed form and manner. |
| After 1 year | Under the presently operative section 13(3), registration requires an order from the District Magistrate, Sub-Divisional Magistrate or an Executive Magistrate authorised by the District Magistrate having jurisdiction, after verification of correctness and payment of the prescribed fee. |
Birth certificate after registration
After registration is completed, section 12 provides for a certificate extracted from the register to be given free of charge, electronically or otherwise, to the person who supplied the information, in the prescribed form and manner. The amended provision requires this to be done as soon as registration is completed and not later than seven days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is birth registration compulsory in India?
Yes. Registration of births is mandatory under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, subject to the applicable State/UT rules and procedures.
Can parents themselves report a hospital birth online?
For institutional births, the statutory responsibility to report the event generally rests with the institution. Parents should use the official portal to obtain or track the certificate where the service is available, and contact the concerned Registrar if the event has not been registered.
What happens if the birth was not registered within 21 days?
Delayed registration is possible, but the required permission, supporting documents and fee depend on the length of the delay and the applicable State/UT rules.
Disclaimer: This page provides general legal and procedural information. Birth-registration forms, fees, acceptable documents and online availability may vary by State/UT and local registration unit. Always confirm the current requirement with the competent Registrar or official government portal.