Bill of 2023 – Use of birth certificate for public services and database

Unique and Salutary – Birth certificate as a single document for public services, admission, social benefits and digital registration – On 26.7.2023, Bill was introduced in the Parliament.

Every citizen should note the salient features of the Bill –

The Amendment Bill of 2023 to amend the Registrar of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, for use of birth certificate for various purposes including  adhar, admission to the educational institutions, voters list, government job, marriage registration, electronic certificates and connecting database. 

The national and state level database of registration of births and deaths would go a long way for efficient and transparent public services, social benefits and also digital registration.

The objects and reasons delineated in the Statement to the Bill shows that the Act was not amended since 1969.   There is need to keep pace with the societal change, technological advances and also to make it citizen friendly.

It also shows the registration process of adopted, orphan, abandoned, surrendered, surrogate child and child to a single parent or unwed mother.

It is mandatory for all medical institutions to provide a certificate to the cause of death to the Registrar and a copy of the same to the near relative.

Most important feature of the Bill is for appointment of Special “Sub-Registrars” in the event of disaster or epidemic for speedy registration of deaths and issue of certificates.