Amendments made to rules related to submission of proof of date of birth for issuing of Indian passports

The guidelines pertaining to providing proof of birth for passport issuance have been modified by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs. Those born on or after October 1, 2023, will need to present a birth certificate in order to receive a new passport under the new Passports (Amendment) Rules 2025.

The Registrar of Births and Deaths, the Municipal Corporation, or any other entity authorized by the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969 (18 of 1969), as indicated in its gazette, must provide this certificate, which is the only legitimate proof of birthdate.

The new changes have come into effect from February 28.

People who were born before this date can provide one of the following documents as evidence of their birthdate:

- A certificate of birth issued by the Municipal Corporation, the Registrar of Births and Deaths, or any other authority authorized by the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969 (18 of 1969).

- A certificate of transfer, school leaving, or matriculation issued by the recognized educational board with the applicant's birthdate or the last recognized school attended.

- The Permanent Account Number Card (PAN) of the application, which is provided by the Income-tax Department, includes the applicant's birthdate.

- A copy of an excerpt from the applicant's service record (only applicable to government employees) or the Pay Pension Order (only applicable to retired government employees). The applicant's date of birth must appear on this document, which must also be properly authenticated or confirmed by the individual in charge of the administration of the relevant ministry or department.

- The applicant's date of birth and the driving license issued by the relevant state government's Transport Department are displayed on it.

- The Election Commission of India issues an Election Photo Identity Card with the applicant's birthdate on it.

- Policy bonds with the policyholder's birthdate are issued by public corporations or the Life Insurance Corporations of India.