State Tightens Birth and Death Certificate Rules to Prevent Fraud

The state government has introduced stricter rules for verifying birth and death certificates, especially for applications made more than a year after the event. This decision comes after reports of undocumented Bangladeshis living in certain areas.

Local officials in charge of issuing these certificates must carefully check all supporting documents, such as proof of residence, school certificates, PAN cards, and Aadhaar cards. The government has instructed them to be extra cautious if multiple applications come from the same family. If any document seems fake or suspicious, officials must inform the local police immediately.

For cases where no official birth or death records exist, applicants must publish an advertisement in a local newspaper. The government has also made it clear that birth certificates cannot be issued solely based on documents like school-leaving certificates, PAN cards, or Aadhaar cards. A government resolution states that birth dates must be confirmed using hospital records along with proof of residence.