Cradle to AbleIn India, every birth must be registered with the local Registrar, and the birth certificate you get is the document you will need for Aadhaar, school admission, a passport and much else. Most families register through the hospital, but it is worth knowing the timeline and what to do if it is missed.
Who has to report the birth?
- Born in a hospital, maternity home or nursing home: the doctor in charge, or a person they authorise, reports the birth to the Registrar.
- Born at home: the head of the household (or the nearest relative present) must report it.
- Since the 2023 amendment, the law also covers adoptive parents, parents of a child born through surrogacy, and single parents. Reporters are asked to give the Aadhaar numbers of the parents.
The timeline
| When you register | What it usually needs |
|---|---|
| Within 21 days | No fee in many states. Hospital proof of birth and parents' details. |
| After 21 days, within 30 days | A late fee. |
| After 30 days, within 1 year | Written permission of the authority your state names, an affidavit and a fee. |
| After 1 year | An order from a District Magistrate, Sub-Divisional Magistrate or authorised Executive Magistrate, after verification, plus a fee. |
Fees and forms are set by each state, so we have not listed amounts. Your municipal office or state portal will have the current ones. A 2026 amendment bill that would tighten approvals for later registration has been reported in Parliament, so check whether it has come into force when you apply late.
What to keep ready
- The hospital discharge summary or birth slip.
- Both parents' ID and address proof (Aadhaar is commonly asked for).
- Some states also ask for the parents' marriage certificate. Check yours.
- For late registration: an affidavit, and the documents your state lists.
How to apply
- Ask the hospital first. Many hospitals send the details to the Registrar and hand over the certificate or a collection date.
- Online: use the Civil Registration System (CRS) portal at crsorgi.gov.in, or your state's own portal.
- In person: visit the local Registrar, which is the municipal office in cities and the panchayat or health office in many other areas.
A birth is normally registered where it happened, so if your baby is born in a different state from your home state, you will deal with the Registrar there. The certificate can then be used elsewhere in India.
The baby's name
You can register a birth before the name is decided. The law lets you give the name later within a period set by the state (12 months in Delhi). Entering it in that window is free, and a fee may apply after it. Try not to leave it, because the name on the certificate is the one your child's Aadhaar, school and passport records will follow.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Spelling: check the child's name and both parents' names, and the date of birth, before you leave the counter.
- Waiting: the late route needs affidavits and permissions that take time.
- One copy only: keep a few extra certified copies for Aadhaar, school and passport, and a scan on your phone.
Why it matters
For children born on or after 1 October 2023, the birth certificate is the single proof of date and place of birth for Aadhaar, school admission, driving licence, voter list, marriage registration and government jobs. The amendment also builds a national database of births and deaths.
Frequently asked questions
Within how many days must a baby's birth be registered in India?
Commonly within 21 days of birth, as set by state rules under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969. Registration within that period is free in many states, such as Kerala. Hospitals usually report the birth themselves, but check with yours.
What if I miss the 21 days?
You can still register. Within 30 days a late fee applies. From 30 days to 1 year you need the written permission of the prescribed authority, an affidavit and a fee. After 1 year an order from a District Magistrate, Sub-Divisional Magistrate or authorised Executive Magistrate is needed. The exact fee and form depend on your state.
Can I register the birth without a name?
Yes. You can register first and give the name later to the Registrar within the period your state allows (12 months in Delhi). After that, a small fee applies in some states. Do not delay registration just because the name is not decided.
Is the birth certificate enough for Aadhaar and school admission?
For children born on or after 1 October 2023, the amended Act makes the birth certificate the single proof of date and place of birth for purposes such as Aadhaar, school admission, driving licence, voter list, marriage registration and government jobs. For older births, other documents may still be asked for.
Where do I apply?
Usually the hospital where the baby was born sends the details to the local Registrar (municipal body, panchayat or health department, depending on your state). You can also apply through the Civil Registration System portal at crsorgi.gov.in or your state's portal.
What if the name or a parent's name is spelt wrongly?
Apply to the Registrar for a correction, with proof such as the parents' ID. A spelling mistake can be corrected. A completely new name is treated differently and the process varies by state.
Sources
Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969 and the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Act, 2023, as summarised by PRS Legislative Research; Kerala civil registration fee pages and other state rules for the late-registration process; Registrar General of India's CRS portal. We could not open the full Central Rules, so the 21-day period and fees come from state sources. Rules differ by state, so confirm the details with your Registrar.
See also: hospital bag checklist and baby vaccination schedule. Vaccination records often ask for the birth certificate.