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The Complete Guide to Getting a Birth Certificate in Chennai | Chennai Corporation Birth Certificate

TeamAckoDec 9, 2024

Birth is the first stage of a person's life, and it is crucial to have a Birth Certificate in Chennai to verify birth in Chennai and as proof of Indian residency. It's important to have a Birth Certificate in order to apply for important documents such as bank accounts, AADHAR cards, and even ration cards! The Corporation of Chennai facilitates birth registration and birth certificate applications from their online portal, and at their physical offices.

Did you know that more than 50% of Chennai residents born before 1990 don't have a birth certificate? According to The Hindu, residents applied for Birth Certificates in Chennai during COVID-19. Learn more about applying for a birth certificate in Chennai, its costs, and more in this article!

Contents

How to Get a Birth Certificate in Chennai
Track, Download, and Print Certificates Without Visiting an Office
Birth Certificate Fees and Late Registration Costs
Wrapping Up
Frequently Asked Questions:

How to Get a Birth Certificate in Chennai

If you have a child in Chennai and need a birth certificate, you should register the birth with the Corporation of Chennai within 21 days. Make sure you provide the right information and details so that you and your little one have a seamless birth certificate application procedure.

Registering the Birth

Birth at Birthing Center

When a baby is born at a hospital, health centre, maternity, nursing home or similar institution, their parent or guardian must register the birth at this place.

Offline

These centres have birth registration documents and will submit these documents to your closest registrar office. It is the responsibility of the parents or guardians to register the birth with the registrar as per the Registration of Birth and Death Act, 1969.

Online

You can register online for a Chennai Corporation birth certificate with these steps:

Visit the Corporation of Chennai website
Click "Apply for birth registration"
Choose your area and enter your phone number
Provide details including
1. Child's gender and date of birth
2. Parents Information
3. Place of Birth
4. Permanent Residence of parents
Submit the online birth certificate form

Documents Required for a Birth Certificate

Application form (available at the municipal office or online)
Proof of birth (hospital discharge summary, maternity certificate, etc.)
Parent's identification documents (Aadhar card, passport, etc.)
Marriage certificate of parents (if applicable)
Address proof (electricity bill, voter ID, etc.)

If a hospital does not report, or if a baby was born at home or somewhere other than a birth centre/hospital, the birth would be registered at the local body or authority. The parents or guardians should register the birth within 21 days at their panchayat or Chennai Corporation office, and then download or print the baby's birth certificate online.

Registering a Birth Without a Name

Also, Read: Documents required for passport

If you haven’t decided on a name for your newborn at the time of birth, you can still proceed with the birth registration. Once you have chosen a name, you must to update the birth certificate to include it.

Steps to Include Your Baby’s Name on the Birth Certificate:

Obtain the Birth Certificate
After completing the initial birth registration, obtain the official birth certificate. Take note of the unique certificate number provided.

Visit the Chennai Corporation Website
Go to the official website of Chennai Corporation: www.chennaicorporation.gov.in.
Navigate to the Name Inclusion Section
- Click on “Online Services.”
- Select “Birth and Death.”
- Choose “Name Inclusion.”
Enter Your Details
Enter your registered mobile number and the relevant one-time password (OTP) to access the birth certificate update page.
Fill Out and Submit the Declaration Form
- Print and complete the declaration form.
- Scan the completed form and upload it along with the required documents. These documents include:
  - Declaration form
  - Proof of the child’s birth (e.g., maternity discharge or birth centre summary)
  - Proof of the parent's address
  - The original birth certificate
Approval and Name Update
Once submitted and verified, the new name will be added to your baby’s birth certificate within 3-4 business days.

Important Notes:

Late Fee: You should complete the name inclusion process within 1 year from the original birth registration. If you apply after this period, a nominal late fee of ₹200 will be charged.
Parental Consent: Both parents or guardians must sign the form for the name registration.
Irreversibility of Name Changes: Once the name is included, it cannot be easily changed, so select it carefully.

Steps to Change a Child's Name in Chennai

Changing your baby's name on their birth certificate requires you to furnish the necessary documentation and letters to the municipality or Corporation of Chennai office. This procedure must be done offline.

1) Correcting Name

For name corrections, you can visit the physical office of the Corporation of Chennai along with the following documents.

Document Required

Name change application form
Parent's requisition letter
Birth certificate originals
Notary affidavit

2) Changing Name

To change the child's name entirely, you will need to visit the Gazette Office at:

#110 Director of Printing and Stationeries
Anna Salai, Chennai 600-002

Registering for a Birth Certificate for an Adult

Adults without Birth Certificates in Chennai can also apply for birth certificates. If you have never received a birth certificate, you will need to pay the relevant fees (Rs. 500 as of 2023) applicable to applying for a birth certificate after one year. The application process is the same as above but with a late fee penalty.

Track, Download, and Print Certificates Without Visiting an Office

Once registered, you can search for your baby’s birth certificate online via the Corporation of Chennai website.
Every printed copy of the birth certificate from the website is considered an original document.
These certificates are valid for various purposes, including school and college admissions, and official document applications.
Online and original birth certificates are computer-generated and do not require a seal or signature for validation.
Each birth certificate is assigned a unique registration number, ensuring authenticity for every registered birth.

Birth Certificate Fees and Late Registration Costs

To apply for a birth certificate, you need to register within 21 days. Registering within this period assures you of free registration. If you apply after 21 days, you will be charged a fee according to the time that has passed. You will need to contact the Jurisdictional Birth and Death Registrar for more details about registration.

What You’ll Pay for On-Time and Late Applications

Application Status	Period of Reporting	Late Fee	On-Time or Late
On-Time Application	Within 21 days	Rs.0/-	On-Time
Late Application	After 21 days but within 30 days	Rs.100/-	Late
Late Application	After 30 days but within 1 year	Rs.200/-	Late
Late Application	After 1 year	Rs.500/-	Late

Good News! COVID-19 Fee Waivers You Can Use

Due to COVID-19, the late birth registration fine in Chennai and across Tamil Nadu has been waived. You do not need to pay a late fee if you register for a baby born after January 1, 2020.

Wrapping Up

Getting a birth certificate in Chennai is an important step for securing your child’s legal identity. Whether your baby is born in a hospital, a birth centre, or even at home, it’s essential to register the birth with the local municipal authority. The process is simple, but requires the right documents, like the hospital birth report or an affidavit for home births. Once registered, the birth certificate opens up access to essential services, like schooling and government benefits, ensuring your child’s future is set on solid ground.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Below are some of the frequently asked questions on getting a Birth Certificate in Chennai

If you were born in Tamil Nadu without a birth certificate?

If you do not have a Birth Certificate, you can follow the process listed in the article to register and apply for the same.

Do I need to pay a registration fee for a birth certificate application?

You do not need to pay if you register for a birth certificate within 21 days. If you passed the 21 day mark, a small fine will be levied.

The newborn doesn't have a name. Can I still apply for a birth certificate?

You can apply for a birth certificate even if the baby doesn't have a name. This provision is available under Section 14 of the Act.

How soon should I apply for a birth certificate after my baby is born?

You should apply within 21 days of birth at the nearby municipal corporation (MC) or SDM office, or even online.

Can I apply for a birth certificate at a later time?

Yes there are offline and online application provisions available, even if there is a delay. You will need to pay a nominal fee if it crosses 21 days.

Disclaimer: The content on this page is generic and shared only for informational and explanatory purposes. It is based on several secondary sources on the internet, and is subject to changes.