Srinagar, Aug 01: A day after the Lok Sabha passed the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2026, the proposed legislation has drawn attention for introducing stricter safeguards for delayed registration of births and deaths. Passed on July 31, the Bill seeks to strengthen the integrity of the civil registration system by requiring judicial approval for registrations made more than two years after the occurrence of a birth or death.
The most significant change introduced by the Bill relates to registrations sought after a prolonged delay. Under the proposed law, any birth or death reported more than two years after its occurrence can be registered only on the basis of an order issued by a Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC). At present, such registrations can be authorised by a District Magistrate, Sub-Divisional Magistrate or an Executive Magistrate empowered by the State Government.
According to the Statement of Objects and Reasons of the Bill, the amendment is intended to strengthen the authenticity and reliability of birth and death records by introducing greater judicial scrutiny in cases of exceptionally delayed registrations. The government has maintained that the move will help curb fraudulent or fabricated entries while encouraging timely registration.
The amendment does not change the procedure for registrations made within the prescribed timelines. Births and deaths reported within 30 days will continue to be registered under the existing process, while registrations after 30 days but within one year will remain subject to the prescribed authority, documentation and applicable fee. The new provision applies only to registrations sought after two years.
Birth and death certificates serve as primary legal identity documents and are widely used for admission to educational institutions, issuance of passports, inheritance and succession matters, social welfare benefits and other government services. The government believes that stricter verification of long-delayed registrations will enhance the credibility of the country’s civil registration system and reduce the scope for misuse.
The Bill, passed by the Lok Sabha will now be taken up by the Rajya Sabha. It will become law after being approved by the Upper House and receiving the President’s assent.
