The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) in their press release recently stated that individuals whose names have not been registered with the GCC in their birth certificates can apply for a corrected birth certificate with the name at the GCC’s Zonal offices, by submitting the necessary documents before 31 Dec 2024.
Registration of birth is mandatory and is a prerequisite for citizenship. If the birth of a child has been registered without a name, it is possible for the parents or guardian to register the name within 12 months of birth, without any payment. The law even allows the registration of the name within fifteen years of birth for a small fee of Rs.200.
As per the amendment to the Registration of Birth and Death Act, the birth registrations since 1 Jan 2000 that do not have a name, were allowed to include the name before 31 Dec 2014. This grace period has been extended to this year-end.
The Corporation requests parents in Zones 1 to 15, who have not registered yet, to approach the Birth and Death Registry Office at the Zonal Office, with relevant documents like Aadhar Card, School certificates, Ration cards or Voter ID. GCC Commissioner, J.Kumaragurubaran, IAS, has stated that this opportunity will not be extended further.