Travel

India Updates Passport Laws: New Birth Certificate Condition Clarified

The Government of India has presented a key update to passport provision laws, making a birth certificate the only authentic evidence of date of birth for specific candidates. This new law will significantly affect persons applying for a passport under the revamped policies.

This article summarizes the new laws, ensuring your travel preparations are easy.

New Passport Law: Birth Certificate Now Mandatory

Beginning now, persons born on or after 1 October 2023 must provide government-provided birth certificates as exclusive evidence of their birth date when applying for an Indian passport.

The previous structure, which enables multiple documents for confirmation, will apply to people born before this cutoff date. Under the revised laws:

  • Only a birth certificate will be approved as evidence of the date of birth for persons born or after 1 October 2023.
  • People born before 1 October 2023 can still use optional documents, like a driving license or school leaving certificate, as evidence of birth.

Reasons For This Change

With this update, the Indian authority intends to ease and standardize the passport request procedure. By making the certificate of birth compulsory for new candidates, the system guarantees a uniform confirmation technique, decreasing differences in age documentation.

Where To Get The Needed Certificate Of Birth

The certificate of birth is required to be provided by:

  • The registrar of deaths and births
  • The municipal corporation
  • Any capable authority under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969.

How This Influences Passport Candidates

The procedure remains unchanged for candidates born before the cutoff date. Hence, people born on or after 1 October 2023 must ensure they have a formally enrolled certificate of birth to prevent difficulties during their passport request.

Official Notification And Enforcement

The changes to the Passport Rules, 1980, have been formally informed and will be enforced based on their publication in the official government gazette. Travelers must stay up-to-date on the actual enforcement date to ensure adherence.

Major Takeaways For Indian Travelers

  • Plan early: Acquire a birth certificate immediately for kids born after 1 October 2023.
  • Check official sources: For recent information, often visit the official government website or the Ministry of External Affairs webpage.
  • Document confirmation: Make sure an identified authority provides your birth certificate.

This new law highlights the significance of early birth enrollment. Parents of children born after the stipulated date must get an official birth certificate promptly to ensure an easy passport application procedure in the future. Travelers planning to apply for an Indian passport must check the updated conditions and prepare accordingly.