Fake or unauthorised birth-death certificates to be invalidated

State Government’s directive

Mumbai – In view of the rising numbers of Bangladeshi and Rohingya infiltrators in the state, the Government has issued directives to cancel birth and death certificates that are either fake or obtained in unauthorised manner. A copy of this Government resolution has been released by the Public Health Department.

Many Bangladeshi nationals are residing in India using forged documents. They are often found possessing fake Aadhaar cards, ration cards, Indian passports, bank accounts, PAN cards, marriage certificates, and residence certificates. They obtain these illegally and continue to live unlawfully in the state for years.

What is the Government Resolution ?

The Union Government has amended the Birth and Death Registration Act, 1969, granting the authority to order delayed birth or death registrations to Tahsildars, Taluka Magistrates, Sub-Divisional Magistrates, and District Magistrates. Additionally, procedures for registration have been defined under the Birth and Death Registration Act, 1969 and the Maharashtra Birth and Death Registration Rules, 2000. The State Government has now decided to invalidate all birth and death records issued after one year of the actual birth or death, and by officials lower in rank than Tahsildar or Taluka Magistrate.

According to the Government Resolution dated 12 March 2025, a detailed procedure was laid down for accepting delayed registrations. However, before this procedure came into effect, officials lower than Tahsildar or Taluka Magistrate issued such orders beyond their jurisdiction. Consequently, all such false and forged certificates will now be cancelled.

Action to be taken :

1. Registrars must immediately prepare and provide Tahsildars with a detailed list of all records based on delayed birth/death registration orders issued after more than a year.

2. Tahsildars must verify these delayed records based on their office records or lists received from Registrars and cancel orders issued by junior officers.

3. Details must be forwarded to the Registrar, District Registrar, and local Police. A copy of the cancellation order must also be sent to the applicant’s address, directing them to submit the original certificate to the Tahsildar’s office within 7 days.

4. If the certificate is not submitted within the time limit, Police will have powers to seize it. Registrars and District Registrars must ensure such cancelled entries are deleted from record books and the Civil Registration System (CRS) portal.

5. Based on these cancellation orders, local Police station heads must trace the concerned individuals, seize the original certificate, and hand it over to the Tahsildar.

6. These certificates must be formally invalidated by the District Collector or Sub-Divisional Officer, and Tahsildars must confirm that the certificates have been annulled.

7. The entire process must be completed within 3 months. No extensions will be granted under any circumstances.