Well, obtaining a birth certificate for NRIs is indeed a big challenge because they live far away. Strategically, it can be possible to get it without travelling to India. India is now digitally equipped, and almost all states are putting their efforts into digitising records. So, it is possible to get this crucial document without being there.
This comprehensive guide will introduce you to all steps involved in the application of a birth certificate from official websites. So, let’s get started sharing gradually. Firstly, let’s understand why a birth certificate is important.
Understanding the Importance of a Birth Certificate
A birth certificate is not a piece of paper but a vital document that proves one’s identity and age. The Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, makes it compulsory to register them. NRIs can also be eligible for it, as mentioned in the ‘Citizen of India by Descent’ under Section 4(1) of the Indian Citizenship Act, 1955.
Eligibility
Non-residents can get their children registered on the Indian Citizenship Online portal. This online service is run by the Ministry of Home Affairs of the Government of India. For eligibility, they must meet the following parameters:
- The registration must be done within one year of his or her birth. It should be done on the Indian Commission website. Once done, the child becomes eligible to become a “Citizen of India by Descent.”.
- If the registration is not done, the child’s birth shall be registered under a different section of the Indian Citizenship Act. Then, the birth registration automatically helps him or her attain Indian nationality by filling out this form. In this case, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, grants on the merits of the case.
Non-residents apply for this document for facilities like easy application for a passport, admission in schools, litigation, leverages in government schemes, etc. They require it for different purposes, like applying for a visa, an OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) card, voting rights, etc. These facilities can be theirs if they have a birth certificate from India.
Now, let’s move further, understanding the various steps involved in it.
Steps to Obtain a Birth Certificate for NRIs
The step-by-step guide involves different requirements and guidelines, which are given below:
Step 1: Discover the Place of Birth and Jurisdiction
To begin with, non-residents must know where his birth took place. If it’s in India, this location will help in discovering the corresponding municipal corporation or local authority that can issue a birth certificate. Always remember that India has formed the concept of municipal corporations in urban areas, panchayats, and even paramedical staff can also issue them in rural areas.
If the birthplace is abroad, get ready with the documents of the hospital or medical support to enclose with the application form.
Step 2. Gear Up with Required Information and Documents
Before applying, you must have all authentic details and documents with you to provide in the application form. Typically, these details can be the following:
- The original name of the applicant
- Original date of birth
- Place of birth (which can be a hospital or home)
- Parents’ names (of both mother and father)
- Documented identity proofs like passports, Aadhar cards, etc.
- Address proof, which can be mentioned on utility bills, rental agreements, etc.
NRIs should consider this checklist:
- A copy of the child’s birth proof
- Photocopy of parents’ passports (first and last pages)
- A photocopy of the certificate of Indian citizenship, if acquired by registration or naturalisation
- A photocopy of their marriage certificate
- An undertaking by either parent stating that the child has not claimed the nationality of any other country
Step 3: Visit the official website.
This step is for those who were born in India and want to apply for their birth proofs. As aforementioned, municipal corporations in India have introduced their online presence, where you can apply for your birth certificate. Some of the examples of these sites are given below:
- Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM): https://portal.mcgm.gov.in/irj/portal/anonymous
- Delhi Municipal Corporation (MCD): http://www.mcdonline.gov.in
- Bangalore Bruhat Mahanagara Palike (BBMP): https://bbmp.gov.in/
- Chennai Corporation: https://www.chennaicorporation.gov.in
- Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC): https://www.kmcgov.in
NRIs can apply with the Embassy within one year of the birth of their child. They can choose the appropriate embassy website from this list according to their countries.
Step 4: Register on the portal.
- For registration on the Municipal Corporation website, create login details by sharing your email ID and creating a password. Once done, login with the sent link in your inbox.
- NRIs can visit this link and click “Acquisition of Indian Citizenship by Descent—Section 4.”.
Step 5: Birth Application
- On the Municipal Corporation website, download the form and fill in all the necessary details. Then, upload supporting documents.
- Non-residents need to click and open this link to follow the six steps: Initiate Application, Modify Application, Print Application, Document Upload, and Apply Form X/XII. There will be the last option, which is status. It allows you to check the status of the application once it has been submitted.
Also, you need to follow specific criteria for images and documents.
- The criteria for the image are: upload a passport-size photograph; upload an image of 100 (width) x 120 (height) pixels only in JPG format, which must not exceed 20 KB.
- The criteria for documents are given ahead: Upload a) proof of the Indian origin of the parents or applicant b) a photocopy of the valid foreign passport; and c) a photocopy of the valid residential permit. Each scanned document in each PDF must not exceed 1024 KB (1 MB).
Step 6: Pay the fees.
- Then, pay the fees at the time of submission. It will be minimal if the authority is a municipal corporation.
- NRIs have to pay a service fee online. As they pay, a pop-up will appear displaying the MHA File Number, Applicant Name, Section/Form, and Fee.
Step 7. Track Your Application
Lastly, you can track the status of your application from the portal. Use a reference ID or MHA file number to check. It hardly takes a few days to process the application.
Step 8: Receive the Birth Certificate
As soon as your application is verified, the applicant will receive a prompt on their mobile phone. It will have the link to download the certificate using the registered ID.
Conclusion
NRIs can get birth certificates for their children through the aforementioned links. This process can be followed as per the aforementioned directions and does not require travelling to India.
