You apply for a birth certificate through the Civil Registration System (CRS) portal (crsorgi.gov.in) or your local municipal corporation/Gram Panchayat office where the birth was registered. Registration within 21 days of birth is free; a delayed registration attracts a late fee and may need additional affidavits or a court order for very old cases.
What you need before you start
Keep the hospital birth discharge slip or delivery proof, parents’ Aadhaar cards, marriage certificate (if applicable), and address proof of the place of birth. For delayed registration beyond one year, you typically need an affidavit and, in some states, a magistrate’s order.
Step by step
- Visit the CRS portal or your local municipal/panchayat civil registration office.
- Register for a citizen login using your mobile number.
- Fill the birth registration form with the child’s name (or leave blank to add later), date, place of birth and parents’ details.
- Upload the hospital discharge slip and parents’ identity proof.
- Submit and pay the fee if registering after 21 days.
- The registrar verifies details and issues the birth certificate.
- Download the digital certificate or collect the physical copy from the local office.
Fees and timelines
Registration within 21 days of birth is free in most states. Delayed registration (21 days to 1 year) may cost a small late fee; registration after 1 year needs an affidavit and additional verification, and can take several weeks to months.
What to do if it goes wrong
If there’s a name spelling error or wrong date, apply for correction through the same municipal/panchayat office with supporting documents like school certificates or Aadhaar. For long-delayed registrations facing rejection, consult the local registrar about the affidavit and, if required, approach the district magistrate for an order.