Stricter rules for delayed birth, death registrations from Oct. 1

New Delhi: The Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Act will come into force on Oct. 1.  

According to Registrar General of India Mrityunjay Kumar Narayan, the newly enacted law tightens regulations for delayed registration of births and deaths.

The Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2026, passed by both Houses of Parliament, became the law after the President’s assent last month. The objective of this Act is to prevent delays in the registration of births and deaths and to encourage people to register on time.

 The Act provides that if a birth or death is reported to the Registrar more than one year but within two years, it may be registered only with the approval of the District Magistrate, Sub-Divisional Magistrate or an Executive Magistrate.

 The Act further states that if a birth or death is reported to the Registrar more than two years, it will be registered only on the order of a Judicial Magistrate of the First Class.

The Act also mandates that the designated authority must verify the authenticity of the reported birth or death before granting permission for delayed registration. The registration of births and deaths is mandatory, and the certificate issued provides legal identity to an individual.