The rules governing delayed registration of births and deaths are set to change from October 1, 2026. The Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Act, 2026 has received Presidential assent and has now been notified for implementation from October 1.
The amendment changes the procedure for registering births and deaths when the information is submitted long after the actual event. The new system introduces different levels of approval depending on how much time has passed.
What Will Change for Delayed Registration?
Under the amended rules, applications submitted more than one year but within two years of a birth or death will require an order from the District Magistrate, Sub-Divisional Magistrate or an Executive Magistrate authorised by the District Magistrate.
The concerned authority will first verify the correctness of the information. Registration can then proceed after the required fee is paid.
For cases where the information is submitted more than two years after the birth or death, the process will become more stringent. Registration will require an order from a Judicial Magistrate of the First Class with jurisdiction over the place where the event occurred. The magistrate will verify the information before the registration is completed.
Why Are the Rules Being Changed?
The amendment to the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969 is intended to make the delayed registration process more structured and strengthen verification of information submitted after a significant delay.
The government has stated that the changes are aimed at encouraging timely reporting of births and deaths while making the registration process more reliable.
The existing law already requires additional approval for delayed registration. Under the current framework, information submitted after one year requires an order from a District Magistrate, Sub-Divisional Magistrate or an authorised Executive Magistrate. The 2026 amendment creates a separate procedure for delays exceeding two years.
When Will the New Birth and Death Registration Rules Apply?
The Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was passed by the Lok Sabha on July 31 and the Rajya Sabha on August 4. President Droupadi Murmu gave assent to the legislation on August 6, after which it became the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Act, 2026.
The Ministry of Home Affairs subsequently issued a notification on September 16, 2026, appointing October 1, 2026 as the date on which the amended provisions will come into force.
From that date, people seeking registration of births or deaths after a substantial delay will have to follow the revised approval and verification process prescribed under the amended law.