On 31 July 2026, the Lok Sabha passed the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2026, seeking to amend the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969.
The Bill, introduced in Lok Sabha on 29 July 2026, aims to revise the procedure for registration of births and deaths where information is furnished after the prescribed period and introduces separate mechanisms for registrations delayed beyond one year and beyond two years.
Background
The Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969 was enacted to regulate the registration of births and deaths, with birth and death certificates serving as important legal proof of identity and civil status.
Following consultations with States, Union Territories and other stakeholders, the Government decided to strengthen the framework governing delayed registration of births and deaths to encourage timely reporting of such events.
Accordingly, the Bill aims to introduce stricter, graded mechanism for delayed registration by requiring verification and approval from specified authorities based on the length of the delay in reporting the birth or death.
Key Highlights:
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The Lok Sabha has passed the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2026.
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The Bill seeks to amend Section 13 of the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, relating to delayed registration of births and deaths.
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The Bill substitutes Section 13(3) to provide that where information regarding a birth or death is furnished after one year but within two years of its occurrence, registration can be made only on an order of a District Magistrate, a Sub-Divisional Magistrate or an Executive Magistrate authorised by the District Magistrate.
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Before such registration is permitted, the substituted Section 13(3) requires:
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verification of the correctness of the birth or death, and
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a payment of the prescribed fee.
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The Bill introduces a new Section 13(3A) providing that where information regarding a birth or death is furnished more than two years after its occurrence, registration can be made only on an order of a Judicial Magistrate First Class.
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The proposed Section 13(3A) also requires verification of the correctness of the birth or death and payment of the prescribed fee before registration.
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The Bill defines “Executive Magistrate” by reference to Section 14(1) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
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The amendments seek to strengthen the framework for delayed registration of births and deaths and encourage timely reporting of such events.
[Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2026, dated on 31-7-2026]
