How To Get Affidavit for a Birth Certificate: Meaning, Documents, Format and Cost in India

A birth certificate affidavit is a mandatory legal declaration required in various official scenarios, most commonly for late registration of birth, corrections to existing certificates, or the issuance of a duplicate copy. This document serves as a sworn statement confirming a person's birth date, time, and location when primary evidence is unavailable or incorrect. This declaration must be legally sworn before and notarized by a qualified official, such as a Notary Public, and submitted along with supporting documents and application forms to the issuing authorities. Understanding how to get an affidavit for a birth certificate is the essential first step toward securing or correcting your official birth record.

What Is a Birth Certificate Affidavit? 

A birth certificate affidavit is a formal statement confirming a person's date and place of birth, as declared by the affiant (usually a parent or the person themselves, if an adult). Because it is signed under oath, the statement is legally considered true and serves as an important supporting document for official applications. 

When Do You Need an Affidavit for a Birth Certificate? 

The need for a birth certificate affidavit arises when the original record is non-existent, damaged, or contains errors that require legal correction. [1]

• Mandatory when the birth was not registered with the local municipal authority within the legally stipulated timeframe.
• Required when applying for a duplicate copy or when the original is misplaced and cannot be presented.
• Necessary for individuals born at home or in rural settings where formal records were not created immediately after birth.
• Essential when seeking to change the birthdate in the certificate or to change the name in the Birth certificate due to a factual error.
• Mandatory for individuals applying for their official birth certificate late in life for documentation purposes.
• Often requested by passport offices or educational institutions to verify the date of birth when other primary documents are deemed insufficient.
• Provides the necessary sworn evidence of the time, date, and place of the event.

Documents Required for Birth Certificate Affidavit 

To make the birth certificate affidavit legally credible, the affiant must present the notary with specific documents that verify identity and support the facts stated. [2]

• Identity proof of parents (Aadhar, PAN, passport, or Voter ID).
• Address proof of parents (current and permanent residence).
• Marriage certificate of parents (to establish relationship and legitimacy).
• School leaving certificate or bona fide certificate (secondary evidence of age, if available).
• Hospital discharge summary or vaccination card (the strongest available proof for minors).
• Proof of age (Aadhar, PAN, or other government ID if an adult is applying).
• Passport-size photographs (for affixing to the affidavit).
• Witness identity proofs (required for the witnesses present during notarization).

How to Get an Affidavit for a Birth Certificate? 

The process of securing a legally attested affidavit involves careful drafting, printing on legal paper, and mandatory attestation by an authorized official to make the document valid. This outlines how to get an affidavit for a birth certificate. [3]

Step 1: Draft the Birth Affidavit

The affidavit must be accurately drafted in the first person. It must include all personal details of the affiant (usually the parent), the full name of the child, the specific Date of Birth (DOB), the place of birth (hospital/address), and a clear, solemn declaration of the facts.

Step 2: Use Proper Stamp Paper

The finalized, drafted text must be printed or typed onto non-judicial stamp paper of the appropriate value. The required value is set by state law and is usually nominal, typically ₹10 or ₹20.

Step 3: Attach Supporting Documents

The affiant must attach legible photocopies of all supporting documents (ID, hospital records, school records) to the affidavit. These documents serve as secondary evidence that supports the facts sworn to in the affidavit.

Step 4: Visit a Notary Public / Oath Commissioner

The affiant must personally visit a Notary Public, Oath Commissioner, or Magistrate. The affiant must present their original ID and the drafted document. 

Step 5: Get the Affidavit Notarized

The affiant must sign the affidavit in the presence of the legal official. The Notary, who works with an affidavit, verifies the identity, administers the oath, and then affixes their signature, official seal, and registration number, legally completing the notarization.

Is a Birth Certificate Affidavit Accepted Everywhere? 

While a birth certificate affidavit is a powerful legal document, its acceptance is typically secondary; it supports, but does not replace, the official certificate issued by the municipality.

For instance, the Passport office accepts it, along with additional documents, to verify the DOB. However, most government departments, including municipal corporations and passport authorities, ultimately require the official, original birth certificate issued by the Registrar of Births and Deaths as the primary proof. 

Cost and Processing Time for Affidavit for Birth Certificate

The total cost to get an affidavit for a birth certificate is minimal, generally involving the nominal cost of the non-judicial stamp paper (e.g., ₹10 to ₹50) plus the official notarization fee charged by the Notary Public, which usually ranges between ₹50 and ₹200. With a ready draft, the actual attestation process (signing, stamping, and sealing) is extremely fast, usually taking only 5 to 10 minutes, making same-day completion highly standard. [4]

AFFIDAVIT FORMAT FOR BIRTH CERTIFICATE

I, [Full Name of Deponent],
son/daughter of [Father’s Name] and [Mother’s Name],
aged [Age] years,
resident of [Full Address],

do hereby solemnly declare as follows:

1. That my date of birth is [DD/MM/YYYY].
2. That my place of birth is [City/Town/Village, District, State].
3. That I am submitting this affidavit for the purpose of obtaining my Birth Certificate from the concerned authority.
4. That the information provided above is true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief and nothing material has been concealed.

Place: [City]
Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]

Signature of Deponent: ____________________
Name: [Full Name]

Birth Affidavit vs Birth Certificate 

It is important to understand the distinction between the birth certificate affidavit and the official birth certificate, as they serve different purposes. [3]

How to Use the Birth Affidavit to Get an Official Birth Certificate? 

The birth certificate affidavit is not the final document; it is the most essential evidence required to compel the issuing authority to create or update the official certificate. [5]

• Submit affidavit to local Municipal Corporation: Present the notarized affidavit to the local Registrar of Births and Deaths or the relevant municipal office.
• Attach supporting documents: Include all original and photocopies of ID, address proof, and any hospital records.
• Fill birth registration form: Complete the official form for late registration or correction, referencing the facts sworn to in the affidavit.
• Verification by municipal authorities: The office verifies the facts, often checking supporting documents and records before approval.
• Certificate issued after approval: Once satisfied, the official birth certificate is generated and issued, fulfilling the goal of how to get an affidavit for a birth certificate.

How NoBroker Can Help with Birth Certificate Affidavit 

Navigating the legal requirements for drafting and attesting an affidavit can be streamlined with professional support. NoBroker provides accurate birth certificate affidavit formats tailored for late registration or correction. We assist with accurate drafting, ensuring all legal clauses are correct, arrange stamp paper procurement, and connect you with verified notaries who can administer the oath and provide the official seal, even offering doorstep attestation services in many cities, ensuring you know exactly how to get an affidavit for a birth certificate with minimal hassle.