The Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Act, 2026 will come into force from October 1, 2026, bringing stricter provisions for the delayed registration of births and deaths across the country. Registrar General of India Mrityunjay Kumar Narayan said the newly enacted law is aimed at ensuring timely registration and preventing undue delays in the process.
The Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2026, was passed by both Houses of Parliament and became law after receiving the President’s assent last month. The amendment seeks to strengthen the registration system and encourage citizens to report births and deaths within the prescribed period.
Under the amended provisions, when a birth or death is reported to the Registrar after one year but within two years, registration will require approval from the District Magistrate, Sub-Divisional Magistrate or an Executive Magistrate.
The law introduces a stricter procedure for cases where the delay exceeds two years. In such cases, registration can be carried out only on the basis of an order passed by a Judicial Magistrate of the First Class.
The amended law also requires the competent authority to verify the authenticity of the reported birth or death before granting permission for delayed registration. This provision is intended to strengthen verification and prevent the misuse of delayed registration procedures.
Registration of births and deaths is mandatory under the law, and the birth certificate serves as an important legal document establishing a person’s identity and date of birth. The new provisions are therefore expected to place greater emphasis on timely reporting and accurate maintenance of civil registration records.
