How to Apply for Birth Certificate Online in India

A birth certificate is the first and most important identity document issued to every citizen of India. Whether you are registering a newborn baby or need a certificate for an older child or adult, this guide explains the complete process — online and offline — in simple steps.

What Is a Birth Certificate?

A birth certificate is an official document issued by the local municipal body or Gram Panchayat that records the birth of a child. It contains details such as:

• Full name of the child
• Date and place of birth
• Name of the father and mother
• Registration number and date of registration

In India, birth registration is governed by the Registration of Births and Deaths (RBD) Act, 1969 and managed by the Office of the Registrar General of India (ORGI). The online portal for civil registration is crsorgi.gov.in.

Why Is a Birth Certificate Needed?

A birth certificate is required for many important purposes:

• School admission — Most schools require it as proof of age
• Aadhaar card enrolment — Needed for children below 5 years
• Passport application — Accepted as proof of date of birth and nationality
• Government schemes — Many welfare schemes require birth proof
• Domicile certificate — Birth certificate serves as supporting document
• Property and legal matters — Establishes identity and age
• Nationality proof — Serves as evidence of Indian citizenship

As per the RBD Act, registration of birth is compulsory and must be done within 21 days of the date of birth.

Documents Required for Birth Certificate

For Newborn Registration (Within 21 Days)

• Hospital discharge summary or birth report from the hospital
• Aadhaar card of father and mother
• Address proof (any one — Aadhaar, Voter ID, Ration Card, Electricity Bill)
• Marriage certificate of parents (may be asked in some states)
• Proof of delivery signed by doctor/ANM (for home births)

For Delayed Registration (After 21 Days)

If birth is registered after 21 days but within 1 year, additional documents may include:

• Affidavit (sworn statement) regarding the delay
• Non-availability certificate from the original registrar (in some states)

If registration is done after 1 year, you will need:

• Order from a First Class Magistrate or Executive Magistrate
• Affidavit explaining the reason for delay
• School records, hospital records, or any other supporting documents
• Two witness identity proofs

Note: The exact requirements for delayed registration vary by state. Always check with your local municipal corporation or Gram Panchayat.

How to Apply for Birth Certificate Online (Step-by-Step)

The Government of India provides an online portal — CRS (Civil Registration System) — at crsorgi.gov.in for birth registration and certificate download.

Step 1: Visit the CRS Portal

Go to https://crsorgi.gov.in in your browser. The portal is available in English and Hindi.

Step 2: Create an Account or Log In

• Click on "Sign Up" if you are a new user
• Enter your name, email, mobile number, and create a password
• Verify your mobile number with OTP
• Log in with your credentials

Step 3: Select "Birth Registration"

• After logging in, select "Birth" from the registration options
• Choose your State, District, and Registration Unit (municipal body or Gram Panchayat)

Step 4: Fill the Birth Registration Form

Enter the required details:

• Child's details — Name (if decided), sex, date of birth, place of birth (hospital/home/other)
• Mother's details — Name, age at the time of birth, Aadhaar number, address, education, occupation
• Father's details — Name, Aadhaar number, education, occupation
• Informant details — Name and address of the person reporting the birth
• Permanent address and present address of parents

Step 5: Upload Documents

Upload scanned copies of:

• Hospital discharge slip or birth report
• Aadhaar card of parents
• Address proof

File format is usually PDF or JPEG, and size limit is typically 200 KB to 1 MB per document.

Step 6: Submit and Note the Reference Number

• Review all details carefully before submitting
• Click "Submit"
• Note down the application reference number for tracking

Step 7: Verification and Approval

• The application goes to the local Registrar for verification
• The Registrar may verify details with the hospital or concerned authority
• Processing time is usually 7 to 21 days, depending on the state

Step 8: Download the Birth Certificate

• Once approved, log in to the CRS portal
• Go to "My Applications" or "Print Certificate"
• Download and print your digitally signed birth certificate

Tip: Many states also allow birth registration and certificate download through their own state portals and the DigiLocker platform.

How to Apply for Birth Certificate Offline

If you prefer the offline method or online registration is not available in your area:

1. Visit your nearest Municipal Corporation office, Nagar Palika, or Gram Panchayat office
2. Collect the birth registration form (or download it from the state government website)
3. Fill the form with all required details
4. Attach photocopies of required documents (hospital report, Aadhaar, address proof)
5. Submit the form to the Birth & Death Registration counter
6. Collect the acknowledgement receipt with your reference number
7. Collect the birth certificate after the processing period (usually 7–15 days)

Hospital-Born vs Home-Born: What's Different?

Delayed Birth Registration

If the 21-day window has passed, the process depends on how late the registration is:

Between 21 Days and 30 Days

• Registration can be done by the Registrar with late fee (varies by state, usually ₹2 to ₹10)
• No magistrate order needed

Between 30 Days and 1 Year

• Registration requires permission from a higher authority (usually the District Registrar or Additional District Magistrate)
• Late fee and an affidavit explaining the reason for delay are required

After 1 Year

• Registration requires an order from a First Class Magistrate or Executive Magistrate
• You must file an application in the magistrate's court
• Supporting documents like school leaving certificate, hospital records, and witness statements will be needed
• Court fee and processing time apply

Important: Some states have simplified delayed registration through online portals. Check your state's official website for specific procedures.

Fees for Birth Certificate

• Registration within 21 days: Free in most states
• Late registration (21 days to 1 year): ₹2 to ₹50 (varies by state)
• After 1 year: Court fees + registration fees (₹50 to ₹500 depending on state)
• Duplicate/additional copy: ₹10 to ₹50

How to Check Birth Certificate Status Online

1. Visit crsorgi.gov.in
2. Log in to your account
3. Go to "Track Application" or "My Applications"
4. Enter your reference number
5. Check the current status (Pending / Under Review / Approved / Rejected)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is online birth registration available in all states?

Most states and Union Territories in India support online birth registration through the CRS portal (crsorgi.gov.in). However, the level of digitisation varies. Some states have their own dedicated portals. If online registration is not working for your area, visit the nearest municipal office.

2. Can I register a birth after 21 days?

Yes. Birth can be registered late, but the process becomes more complex. Between 21 days and 1 year, you need approval from a higher authority and an affidavit. After 1 year, a magistrate's order is required.

3. How long does it take to get a birth certificate?

For timely registration (within 21 days), most municipal bodies issue the certificate within 7 to 15 working days. Online applications through the CRS portal may be processed within 7 to 21 days.

4. Can I download my birth certificate from DigiLocker?

Yes, if your state has integrated with DigiLocker, you can access your birth certificate digitally. Visit digilocker.gov.in or use the DigiLocker app, link your Aadhaar, and search for "Birth Certificate" under the issuing department of your state.

5. What if there is a mistake in the birth certificate?

You can apply for correction at the same registrar's office where the birth was registered. Submit a correction application along with supporting documents. Some states allow online correction through the CRS portal. A small fee may apply.

6. Is the birth certificate issued online legally valid?

Yes. The digitally signed birth certificate downloaded from the CRS portal or state portal is legally valid and accepted by all government and private institutions.

7. Can NRIs register the birth of their child born in India?

Yes. The process is the same. The birth must be registered at the place where it occurred. NRIs can also use the online portal if they have an Indian mobile number for OTP verification. For births abroad, registration is done at the Indian Embassy/Consulate.

This guide is for informational purposes. Rules and fees may vary by state. Always verify with your local municipal body or the official CRS portal at crsorgi.gov.in for the latest information.