- Parliament has passed the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2026.
- Registrations delayed by more than two years will now require approval from a First-Class Judicial Magistrate.
- The amendments introduce mandatory verification to curb fraudulent entries in official records.
NEW DELHI: Parliament on Tuesday passed the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2026, after the Rajya Sabha approved the legislation by voice vote. The Registration of Births and Deaths Amendment Bill 2026 aims to strengthen India’s civil registration system by introducing stricter verification procedures and greater judicial oversight for delayed birth and death registrations.
The Bill had earlier been cleared by the Lok Sabha, completing the parliamentary approval process.
Registration of Births and Deaths Amendment Bill 2026 Introduces Stricter Rules
The legislation amends the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, with a primary focus on delayed registrations.
Under the new provisions:
- Applications submitted between one and two years after a birth or death will continue to require approval from the District Magistrate, Sub-Divisional Magistrate or an Executive Magistrate.
- Applications filed after more than two years will require an order from a First-Class Judicial Magistrate, replacing the earlier approval process handled by executive authorities.
The government said shifting the approval process to the judiciary for long-delayed cases will strengthen scrutiny and reduce the risk of fraudulent registrations.
Mandatory Verification for Delayed Registrations
The amended law also makes factual verification compulsory before approving any delayed registration.
Authorities will be required to verify the authenticity of every application, while applicants seeking delayed registration must pay a prescribed fee, which will be notified separately through government rules.
According to the government, birth and death certificates serve as legally admissible proof of identity and are used for a wide range of administrative and legal purposes. Stronger verification is expected to enhance the reliability of official records while protecting genuine applicants.
Government Expects Better Compliance and Record Accuracy
The Centre said the amendments are intended to encourage citizens to register births and deaths within the existing 21-day statutory period, improving the completeness and accuracy of the country’s civil registration database.
The latest reforms build upon the changes introduced in 2023, which modernised and digitised the registration system by allowing birth certificates to serve as a single document for multiple purposes, including school admissions, Aadhaar enrolment, passport applications, electoral rolls, marriage registration and government employment. The government said the 2026 amendments further strengthen safeguards against misuse while preserving the integrity of India’s civil registration records.
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