Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to introduce the Registration of Birth and Deaths (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha today. The landmark legislation aims to tighten regulations surrounding delayed registrations, digitize vital records, and curb identity fraud by integrating databases with key national identifiers. Under the proposed amendments, registering a birth or death after a delay of one to two years will require mandatory approval from a District Magistrate, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, or Executive Magistrate. For delays exceeding two years, the case must be referred to a Judicial Magistrate, who will issue an order only after verifying the facts. Furthermore, applicants will be required to pay a prescribed fee for late registration, with exact amounts to be notified separately under the framed rules.
A core focus of the new bill is the creation of a centralized digital database for all birth and death records nationwide. This database will be systematically linked with other official documents, including voter lists, ration cards, passports, and national identity cards, significantly minimizing the scope for fraudulent registrations. Once implemented, the birth certificate is poised to become a primary foundational document for critical administrative processes, such as school admissions, driving licenses, and government employment. Citizens will also benefit from enhanced digital accessibility, allowing them to obtain certificates conveniently online.
While birth and death registrations have remained mandatory under the parent Registration of Birth and Deaths Act of 1969, this amendment looks to modernize and secure the administrative framework. Birth certificates serve as a foundational legal identity for milestones ranging from voting rights and passport issuance to welfare benefits, while death certificates remain essential for insurance claims, pension benefits, property transfers, and estate settlements.
