How Do NRIs Get Birth Certificate from India If Born Abroad?

How Do NRIs Get Birth Certificate from India If Born Abroad?

How NRIs can get a birth certificate from India seems no tricky question, as it can be applied for easily from the local Municipal Corporation (MC) where they originated from.

But, the real challenge is to know “how” if you are born abroad.

So, here is the answer.

When Are You Born- before or after 1989?

Let’s start with three conditions, which distinguish the process of getting your birth proof from India.

·         Born Before 1989

Earlier, people hardly bother about registering their birth compulsorily with the government authority. However, it was made mandatory under Section 17 of Registration of Birth & Death Act, 1969. But, people were not aware or, hardly cared about it at that time. So, the result was obvious. Later, they were unable to get their passport or visa due to having no age proof.

However, there is a provision for the late registration, given that you have an affidavit issued by an A-grade gazette officer of India, such as an SDM or District Magistrate. The affidavit is a sworn document stating the original date of birth, parent(s) name, place of birth and other identifiable information. Certainly, this affidavit will be issued once you show any proof of your birth, like hospital documents, school certificate or anything like that.

·         Born After 1989

This case is applicable to those who are born after 1989. They have to get a non-availability of birth certificate at first. This document ensures government agencies that the applicant’s birth record is not available, as it was unregistered before.

But, there is another case. It is of those who had it, but is lost now due to fire, flood or any other catastrophe. This will also be considered an unregistered birth. Such NRIs will have to show up any proof of their birth like hospital papers, school certificates or driving licence etc.

·         Born Abroad to Indian Parents

This is the third case, which is of those who have parents from India, but they are born abroad. Indian legislation allows birth registration of these people also provided that they have surrendered the foreign citizenship.  They have to inform and register the details with Indian embassy and then, apply for the birth certificate of NRIs from India. 

Where can NRIs get their birth registered in India?

There are two options as per aforesaid conditions, which are here for your assistance:

·         With Embassy

It is for those who are foreign citizenship by birth, but the child of Indian parents. The individuals born before 1989 can also contact the nearest Indian embassy/consulate so that they may fill up the registration form of their birth.

·         With Indian Authority

This is a normal case valid for all conditions. Indian Authority that records the birth of any citizen or who is willing to be its citizen through a registrar. This officer sits in the locally located MC office.

How to get it?

The process to get this date of birth certificate is given below for your reference. The choice is yours. You may contact either Indian Embassy or meet the registrar in the local area by self.

·         Gather all supporting documents that would help in verifying the details of your birth.

·         Apply online by visiting the consulate or local government website.

·         Download the form to fill up the details, such as name, address, parents’ details and citizenship etc..

·         Attach the supporting documents, as Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Voter ID Card, Ration Card/ Driving Licence/ School Certificate or likewise valid paper.

·         Upload and send your application.

·         Pay the requisite fee, which is a penalty for late birth registration.

·         The application will reach the local authority through it, which ensures that the consul has enclosed the supporting documents together with the affidavit.

·         Then, the simple paper is translated into a legitimate document by legalizing it.

·         For legalization, you may personally meet the registrar and get it authenticated by the A-grade gazette officer, then home department of the concerned state/ union territory in India. Finally, it would need attestation or apostilling from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

·         Once done, the verification process will end up by sending your birth certificate at home. Or, you may collect it in-person.

What documents are needed to apply for the birth certificate?

·         Citizenship by naturalization (for those who are born abroad to give it up)

·         Attested affidavit of the applicant

·          10^th class mark sheet/ school leaving certificate

·          PAN card/ voter id/driving license/ Aadhaar card as an address proof

·          Photographs of the child and parents

·         Panchayat Department authority letter if you were born in a village here

·         A provisional birth proof issued by one of the para-medical staff

·         The Tehsildar at the Taluka level officer’s letter if you were born in a tehsil.

·         If the birth has taken place at Home, the nearby vaccination centre can be the place. Get it on the letter head, stating that the names and details of the head of the family and 2 other witnesses

·         If you are born in a vehicle, the registration center at the pace it first stopped will be the place where you can get a birth proof

·         If your birth place is a jail, the letter issued by the jail in-charge will be his birth proof

·         If you took birth in a dharmashala/ boarding house, the head of that place will serve the purpose of proof to apply in MC.

Do remember that you may have to pay fee for attestation or legalization. The outsourcing agency can also help in overcoming all challenges in it to NRIs.