How to Get a Birth Certificate in West Bengal?

In West Bengal, as in other parts of India, a birth certificate is a legal document required by the Registration of Births and Deaths Act of 1969. It is a vital means of proving recognition of one’s identity and citizenship and serves as an essential document down the line for various circumstances. 

Whether registering a baby's birth for the first time or obtaining a birth certificate, it is crucial to know how to apply for a birth certificate in West Bengal to avoid unnecessary hassles. 

Keep reading to learn the applicable steps, fees, timelines, and more. 

The birth certificate is a primary legal document that establishes your legal identity and comes in handy in a plethora of circumstances. Here’s how:

Primary Proof of Identity:

Access to Essential Services and Rights:

Gateway to Future Opportunities:

Obtaining birth certificates has been made easier through the e-District Portal of West Bengal, where people can apply online. Follow these steps to complete your application:

Step 1: Go to the official e-District West Bengal website.

Step 2: If you are a new user, click on the Sign Up link, while current users can log in to the system with their respective credentials.

Step 3: Click on ‘Birth Registration’ under Civil Registration to view the appropriate application form.

Step 4: Enter details such as the child’s name, date and place of birth, and parents' details. 

Step 5: Upload all the necessary documents like Form 8, proof of identity of at least one of the parents, and address proof (if required). 

Step 6: Pay the fees. 

Note - An additional fee is charged in the event that the birth is registered beyond 21 days from the date of birth. The payment can be made online using the secure payment options as provided.

Step 7: Review the information provided and the attached documents, and click on ‘Submit’.

Step 8: Keep track of your application status by occasionally logging into the portal. 

Step 9: Once the application is approved, you can download the birth certificate from the website.

If you face any issues or need assistance, you can contact the helpline numbers provided on the website for further support.

In West Bengal, to get the birth certificate offline, one has to go to the Borough Health Office of the concerned municipality or, in the case of Kolkata, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) office. 

Follow these steps to apply:

Step 1: Download the form online from the Government of West Bengal's official website and visit the Borough Health Office or the KMC office.

Step 2: Obtain and complete the standard birth registration form with the correct and complete information of the child, parents, guardians, etc.

Step 3: Enclose the relevant documents with the application form in an envelope. 

Note - If the birth occurred in a hospital, attach a copy of the hospital's medical certificate to the application. Home births must be accompanied by a certificate from an approved medical practitioner, and the birth must be reported to the Ward Health Unit.

Step 4: Complete the form and submit it for further processing within 21 days of birth.

Once the information you provided is verified, the birth certificate will be sent to you within a few days.

Downloading a birth certificate in West Bengal is simple and convenient through the official e-District portal. If you have registered for the birth, follow these steps to obtain a digital copy whenever required.

Step 1: Visit the official e-District portal of West Bengal.

Step 2: Log in to your account with your registered credentials or create an account if you're a first-time user.

Step 3: Select the ‘Birth Certificate’ option under the Citizen Services section.

Step 4: Provide the necessary details, such as Application number, Date of Birth, and where the birth occurred.

Step 5: After entering all the information, click on Search to find the birth certificate that matches the information entered.

Step 6: Once the record appears, click on Download to save the certificate to your device.

Step 7: You can also take a printout of the downloaded certificate for your reference.

Step 1: Go to the website of the e-District portal of West Bengal.

Step 2: Log in to your account and click ‘Application Status’.

Step 3: Type the Registration or Reference Number in the provided space.

Step 4: Complete the captcha verification.

Step 5: Click ‘Submit’ to check the status of your birth certificate application.

Step 1: Go to the District Registrar’s or the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) centre where the birth was registered.

Step 2: Identify yourself to the officials by producing the required identification documents. 

Step 3: Ask the officials to confirm the current status of the birth certificate registration process. 

They will inform you whether the birth certificate is ready for collection.

To correct errors in your birth certificate in West Bengal, follow the steps mentioned below:

Step 1: Visit the official Janma-Mrityu Thathya portal. 

Step 2: Go to ‘Citizen Services’, click on ‘Birth’ and then ‘Birth Certificate Correction’. 

Step 3: Enter the Birth Certificate no. and OTP when the popup appears. 

Step 4: Correct the necessary and provide the ‘Reason/Remarks’. 

Step 5: Click on ‘Submit’.

Here’s how to change your name on your Birth certificate offline in West Bengal:

Step 1: Connect with a reputable notary public to draft a Name Change Affidavit. 

Step 2: Ensure to provide all the correct personal details. 

Step 3: Publish an advertisement containing your old name, new name, and address in one national newspaper and a local newspaper. 

Step 4: Submit an application to the Department of Publication with your affidavit, passport-sized photos, and newspaper clippings. 

After the officials have processed your application, you will receive an official copy of your updated records. 

In West Bengal, the term delayed birth registration refers to a situation where a child’s birth is registered 21 days after the event. Registrations are still possible within one year but with additional costs. If the time is over one year, you need a court order from a Magistrate.

This involves filing a delayed birth registration form and other documents, which may include proof of birth and affidavits. Depending on how long the registration has been postponed, fees are involved, and in the case where a court order is required, there are other processes

In West Bengal, Delayed Birth Registration enables a person to register a birth that has yet to be registered within 21 days. The process involves the following steps:

Step 1: Get an affidavit from a Notary Public, First Class Magistrate, or an Executive Magistrate. 

Step 2: Obtain written permission from the District Registrar of Births and Deaths (for rural), Chief Municipal Health Officer (for municipal), or Chairman/Executive Officer of a Cantonment area. 

Note - In case of delays of more than one year, you will need a court order from an Executive Magistrate.

Step 3: Ask for the Delayed Birth Registration form from the local Registrar or Municipal Corporation Office.

Step 4: Enter birth, parent, and doctor’s information (if applicable).

Step 5: Apply to the Registrar of Births and Deaths or the local authority. 

Step 6: Pay the relevant fees based on the delay in registering. 

Step 7: Keep track of your application by checking online or visiting the office. 

After learning how to get a birth certificate in West Bengal, India, you can simply follow the registration instructions, gather the required documents, and ensure a seamless application process, whether you apply online or offline. Also, if required, you can get your name corrected or changed on your birth certificate with the least hassles.