How to Obtain a Birth Certificate in Chennai: A Comprehensive Guide

A birth certificate is an essential document that serves as official proof of a person’s identity, age, and place of birth. In Chennai, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) is responsible for issuing birth certificates. This comprehensive guide on how to obtain a birth certificate in Chennai, including the online application process, required documents, fees, and contact information.

Obtaining a Birth Certificate in Chennai

More than 50% of Chennai residents born before 1990 don’t have a birth certificate. A birth certificate is an essential legal document that serves as proof of a person’s identity, age, and citizenship. The Tamil Nadu government has introduced an online platform for birth certificate applications, allowing citizens to apply from the comfort of their homes. In Chennai, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) is responsible for issuing birth certificates.

Chennai Municipal Corporation

The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) is the official governing body responsible for civic administration in Chennai. The GCC provides various citizen services, including the issuance of birth certificates. You can find information about the GCC and its services on their official website: http://www.chennaicorporation.gov.in/ .

Registering a Birth

Registration of Birth

The first step in obtaining a birth certificate is to register the birth of the child. This must be done within 21 days of the birth. If any birth is not reported for registration within 21 days, it can be reported any time on payment of a fee and by following the prescribed procedures laid down in the Tamil Nadu Registration of Births and Deaths Rules, 2000. Parents or guardians are responsible for registering the birth with the registrar as per the Registration of Birth and Death Act, 1969.

Information Required for Birth Registration

To register a birth, you will typically need to provide the following information:

Child’s gender and date of birth
Parents’ information (name, age, occupation, address, etc.)
Place of birth
Permanent residence of parents

Additionally, the RCH ID of the mother is required for birth registration. The RCH ID can be obtained from VHN’s/UHN’s of HSCs, Government Medical Institutions, the 102 helpline, e-sevai centers, or the PICME public portal.

Birth Certificate without Child’s Name

It is important to note that a birth certificate can be obtained without the name of the child. In such cases, the name of the child can be registered in the birth certificate by the concerned registration authority without any fee within 12 months from the date of registration. After 12 months but within 15 years from the date of registration, the name of the child can be registered with a prescribed fee.

Online Registration

To register a birth online, follow these steps:

Step	Action
1	Visit the official website of the GCC.
2	Click on “Apply for birth registration.”
3	Choose your area and enter your phone number.
4	Provide the required details, including the child’s gender, date of birth, parents’ information, place of birth, and parents’ permanent residence.
5	Submit the online birth certificate form.

Offline Registration

To register a birth offline, you can visit the nearest registrar’s office or a Common Service Centre (CSC) of the TN Government with the required documents. In Chennai, you can visit the respective Zonal Assistant Health Officer or Birth and Death Registrar.

Documents Required for a Birth Certificate

The following documents are typically required for obtaining a birth certificate in Chennai:

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

Applying for a Birth Certificate

After registering the birth, you can apply for a birth certificate. This can be done online or in person.

Online Application

To apply for a birth certificate online, follow these steps:

Step	Action
1	Visit the official website of the GCC.
2	Click on “Online Services.”
3	Select “Birth and Death.”
4	Choose “Verification or printing of birth certificate.”
5	Enter the required details, such as the date of birth, gender, and verification number displayed on the screen.
6	Download and print the birth certificate.

In-Person Application

To apply for a birth certificate in person, you can visit the office of the Zonal Assistant Health Officer or Birth and Death Registrar in your area. You will need to submit the application form along with the required documents.

If a person’s birth certificate cannot be located, a Non-availability of Birth Certificate (NABC) may be issued to them. It is considered an unregistered birth and needs to be applied for separately.

You can also track the status of your birth certificate application online through the GCC website.

Fees for Obtaining a Birth Certificate

Birth registration is free of cost if it is done within 21 days of the birth. However, if you apply after 21 days, you will be charged a late fee according to the following schedule:

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/-

Registering a Birth for Children Born Abroad

For children born abroad to Indian parents who have returned to India, the birth can be registered within sixty days from the date of arrival in India. If the birth is not registered within 60 days, it can still be registered under the delayed registration provisions of section 13 (2) & (3) of the Registration of Births and Deaths Act.

Documents Required

The following documents are typically required for obtaining a birth certificate in Chennai:

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

For individuals applying for a birth certificate later in life, who were not registered at birth, additional documents may be required, such as:

SSC Marks sheet (Applicant)
Passport copy (Applicant and/or parents)
Birthplace (Hospital Address or home)
Affidavit Details (if available)

Online Application Process for Downloading Birth Certificates

The GCC provides an online facility for verifying or printing birth certificates. Every printed copy of the birth certificate from the website is considered an original document. To download a birth certificate online, follow these steps:

Visit the official website of the Greater Chennai Corporation: https://chennaicorporation.gov.in/gcc/online-services/birth-certificate/
Click the certificate download menu on the homepage.
Select “Birth.”
Enter the following details:
- RCH ID (Reproductive and Child Health ID) or
- Gender, District, Place of Birth, and Date of Birth
Enter your mobile number and click “Send OTP.”
Enter the OTP received on your mobile number.
Enter the number verification.
Click “View.”
A list of births registered on the selected date and place will appear.
Select the required birth certificate and download it.

This online service is available 24/7, unlike physical government offices, providing greater flexibility and convenience for users.

Correcting or Cancelling a Birth Certificate Entry

The Registrar concerned has the authority to correct a birth certificate entry if provided with proper documentation. This process allows for the rectification of any errors or omissions in the certificate.

Documents Required for Downloading a Birth Certificate

To download a birth certificate, you will typically need the following documents:

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

Documents Required for a Non-Availability of Birth Certificate (NABC)

If you were born before 1950 and do not have a birth certificate, you can apply for a Non-Availability of Birth Certificate (NABC). The following documents are required for an NABC:

A written application requesting the NABC
An affidavit from the applicant stating their birth details (place, date, parents’ names)
A government-issued ID proof (Aadhar card, passport, license, etc.)
Proof of residence of the applicant (if necessary)
Old records like a school leaving certificate, voter ID card, or ration card that show birth details (if available)
Police-verified document if the residential and birth proofs are not available.

Non-Availability of Birth Certificate (NABC)

If the birth was not registered previously, you can apply for a Non-Availability of Birth Certificate (NABC). An NABC is an official document issued by the municipal corporation stating that the birth certificate of a particular person is not available in their records. This document is often required for various purposes, such as immigration applications and obtaining an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card.

To apply for an NABC, you will typically need to provide documents such as:

SSC Marks sheet (Applicant)
Passport copy (Applicant and/or parents)
Aadhaar card (Applicant and parents)
Birthplace (Hospital Address or home)
Address proof where the applicant was born

The application process for an NABC is similar to that of a birth certificate. You can apply online or offline through the municipal corporation office.

Fees Associated with Downloading a Birth Certificate

If the birth is registered within 21 days of the event, there is no fee for downloading a birth certificate. However, if the registration is delayed, late fees will be charged according to the following schedule:

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/-

All late payments can be made in cash, by cheque, or by DD at the treasury building of the GCC. Cheques should be made in the name of the Commissioner of GCC or Divisional Revenue Officer (DRO).

Contact Information for the Chennai Corporation

If you have any issues or questions related to birth certificates, you can contact the Chennai Corporation through the following channels:

Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine:

Name: Dr. T.S. Selvavinayagam, MD, DPH, DNB., (Health & Hospital Admn)

Phone Number: +91-44-29510370

Mobile Number: +91-9445030714

Joint Director (SBHI) and Deputy Chief Registrar of Births and Deaths:

Name: Smt. V.R. Sumathi, M.Sc., MBA

Phone Number: +91-44-29510136 Extn-206

Mobile Number: +91-9499933682

General Contact Information

For general inquiries, you can use the following contact methods:

Contact Method	Details
Helpline Number	1913
Phone	044-25619300
Email	commissioner@chennaicorporation.gov.in
Website	http://www.chennaicorporation.gov.in/

Birth Certificate Processing Time in Chennai

The processing time for a birth certificate application in Chennai can vary depending on the method of application and the availability of records. On average, it takes about 4-6 weeks to obtain the certificate.

Adding a Child’s Name to the Birth Certificate

If you initially obtained a birth certificate without a name or need to correct the name on an existing certificate, you can apply for a name inclusion or correction. To do this, you will need to visit the Chennai Corporation Website and navigate to the “Name Inclusion” section under “Online Services.” You will need to enter your registered mobile number and a one-time password (OTP) to access the birth certificate update page.

Next, you will need to download, print, and complete a declaration form. This form, along with the required documents, needs to be scanned and uploaded. The required documents typically include:

Declaration form
Proof of the child’s birth (e.g., maternity discharge summary or birth centre summary)
Proof of the parents’ address
The original birth certificate

Once submitted and verified, the new name will be added to your child’s birth certificate within 3-4 business days.

Including a Child’s Name on the Birth Certificate

If a child’s name was not included in the birth certificate at the time of registration, it can be added later. This process is called “Name Inclusion” and can be done online or offline.

Online Process:

Visit the Chennai Corporation website (www.chennaicorporation.gov.in).
Go to “Online Services” > “Birth and Death” > “Name Inclusion.”
Enter your registered mobile number and the OTP to access the update page.
Download, print, and complete the declaration form.
Scan and upload the completed form along with the required documents:
- Declaration form
- Proof of the child’s birth (e.g., maternity discharge summary)
- Proof of the parents’ address
- Original birth certificate

Birth Certificates for Births Before 1950

For individuals born before 1950 who do not have a birth certificate, obtaining birth proof might require additional steps. Here’s a general process you can follow:

Visit the local corporation office in the zone where you were born. If you are unsure about the zone, you can contact the main office at Ripon Building, Corporation of Chennai, EVR Salai, Park Town, Chennai 600003.
Request a search of the birth records for the year 1950.
Submit a written application along with supporting documents, such as an affidavit stating your birth details and any available old records (school leaving certificate, voter ID card, ration card, etc.).
Pay the necessary fees.
Follow up with the corporation office.

You may also consider seeking legal assistance if you face difficulties in obtaining birth proof for births before 1950.

What is the Process for birth certificate attestation?

Attesting a Birth Certificate for Use Abroad

If you need to use your birth certificate in a foreign country, you will need to get it attested. Attestation is the process of verifying the authenticity of a document to ensure it is recognized as valid in the foreign country. The process for attesting a birth certificate for use abroad in Chennai typically involves the following steps:

Notary Attestation: The first step is to get the birth certificate attested by a notary public. This is the initial step in verifying the document’s authenticity.
Home Department Attestation: After notary attestation, the document needs to be attested by the Home Department of the state where the birth certificate was issued. In the case of Chennai, this would be the Home Department of Tamil Nadu. This step confirms that the birth certificate was issued by a legitimate authority in India.
MEA (Ministry of External Affairs) Attestation: Once the Home Department attestation is complete, the birth certificate needs to be attested by the MEA in New Delhi. This is an essential step before presenting the document to the foreign embassy. The MEA attestation confirms the authenticity of the Home Department’s seal and signature.
Embassy Attestation: The final step is to get the birth certificate attested by the embassy or consulate of the country where you will be using it. This step ensures that the birth certificate is recognized as valid in the foreign country. The embassy verifies the MEA’s attestation and adds its own seal and signature.

Documents Required for Attestation

The following documents are typically required for attesting a birth certificate for use abroad:

Original birth certificate
Passport copy

Benefits of Obtaining a Birth Certificate

Obtaining a birth certificate is not just a legal formality; it is essential for accessing various services and benefits. A birth certificate is a fundamental proof of identity and is often required for:

School admission
Government benefits
Passport application
Visa application
Property inheritance
Employment

It is important to obtain a birth certificate as early as possible to avoid any difficulties in accessing these essential services later in life.

Benefits of Obtaining a Birth Certificate

School admission
Government benefits
Passport application
Visa application
Property inheritance
Employment

It is important to obtain a birth certificate as early as possible to avoid any difficulties in accessing these essential services later in life.

What is the Processing Time and Requirements for Birth Certificate Apostille?

The standard processing time for embassy and birth certificate attestation is three to four days, but it can vary based on circumstances. Original documents are required for Apostille, along with passport photocopies, Aadhar card, driving license, and passport-size photographs.

GloboPrime Attestation Services specialize in apostille attestation. We ensure your documents are attested quickly and accurately for use in Hague Convention countries.

We handle all aspects of apostille attestation, including:

Preparing your documents
Submitting your documents to the appropriate authorities
Tracking the attestation process
Collecting your attested documents

Ready for your smooth overseas journey? Contact us today for birth certificate apostille services in Chennai !

The countries listed below are not part of the Apostille Convention, necessitating the certification of any document requested by these nations. It is important that specific countries on this list might demand additional legalization through a Consulate or Embassy office.

Afghanistan
Algeria
Angola
Bangladesh
Benin
Burkina Faso
Burma (Myanmar)
Cambodia
Cameroon
Canada
Chile
China
Congo Republic
Congo Democratic
Ivory Coast
Cuba
Egypt
Eritrea
Ethiopia
Ghana
Guinea
Haiti
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Jamaica
Jordan
Kenya
Kuwait
Laos
Lebanon
Libya
Macedonia
Madagascar
Malaysia
Mali
Mauritania
Nepal
Niger
Nigeria
Palestine
Philippines
Qatar
Rwanda
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Syria
Taiwan
Tanzania
Togo
Thailand
Turkmenistan
UAE (United Arab Emirates)
Uganda
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe

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