How to Apply for a Birth or Death Certificate in Odisha 2025?

In Odisha, obtaining a birth or death certificate is a vital process for accessing government services, securing legal rights, or fulfilling administrative requirements. These documents, governed by the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, serve as official proof of life events, essential for school admissions, passport applications, or settling inheritances. The state has streamlined the application process through platforms like birthdeath.odisha.gov.in and the e-Municipality portal. This guide provides a clear, step-by-step explanation of how Odisha residents can apply for birth or death certificates, both online and offline, along with details on required documents.

What does the Registration of Birth & Death Act, 1969 say?

The Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, mandates registering every birth and death within 21 days of the event. In Odisha, the Chief Registrar oversees this process, with local registrars in urban (Municipal Corporations, NACs) and rural areas (Primary Health Centres, Community Health Centres) managing applications. Births are typically reported by parents, hospital staff, or household heads, while deaths are reported by the nearest relative or medical officers.

Eligibility for Birth and Death Certificates

Any individual born in Odisha, including NRIs, can apply for a birth certificate, issued to parents or guardians. For death certificates, the nearest relative, such as a spouse or child, is eligible to apply. Both require specific documents to verify the event and the applicant’s identity. The process is uniform across urban and rural areas, ensuring inclusivity for Odisha’s diverse population.

What Documents Are Required for a Birth Certificate in Odisha?

To apply for a birth certificate, you need the following documents:

• Proof of Birth: Hospital acknowledgement slip or affidavit for home births.
• Parents’ Identity Proof: Aadhaar card, voter ID, or passport.
• Address Proof: Ration card, utility bill, or Goanburah certificate.
• Optional Documents: Marriage certificate of parents, if applicable.

These documents verify the child’s birth details and parental identity. For example, in Bhubaneswar, hospitals often provide the acknowledgement slip directly to the portal, simplifying the process.

How to Apply for a Birth Certificate in Odisha Online? A Step-by-Step Guide

Applying online via the Odisha e-Municipality birth certificate portal is efficient and user-friendly. Follow these steps:

• Step 1: Visit birthdeath.odisha.gov.in and select “Citizen Services.”
• Step 2: Click “Quick Apply for Certificate” and choose “Birth.”
• Step 3: Select your district (e.g., Cuttack) and ULB (Urban Local Body) or rural area.
• Step 4: Enter details like the child’s name, date, and place of birth.
• Step 5: Upload required documents (hospital slip, Aadhaar, etc.).
• Step 6: Pay the fee (₹5-20) online.
• Step 7: Submit the application and note the acknowledgement number for tracking.

In 2024, over 80% of birth registrations in Bhubaneswar were completed online. Rural applicants can seek help from PHCs to upload documents.

How Many Documents Are Required for a Death Certificate in Odisha?

For a death certificate, you typically need:

• Proof of Death: Hospital death certificate, cremation slip, or post-mortem report.
• Deceased’s Identity Proof: Aadhaar or voter ID, if available.
• Applicant’s Identity Proof: Aadhaar or other ID proving relationship to the deceased.

In urban areas like Rourkela, hospitals often sync death records with the portal, requiring only the applicant’s ID for verification. In rural areas, a cremation slip is critical if no hospital record exists. Three to four documents are usually sufficient, depending on the case.

Can I Get a Death Certificate Online in Odisha?

Yes, death certificates can be applied for online through birthdeath.odisha.gov.in. The process mirrors the birth certificate application:

• Step 1: Navigate to “Citizen Services” and select “Death.”
• Step 2: Enter details like date, place, and cause of death.
• Step 3: Upload documents (e.g., hospital certificate, applicant’s Aadhaar).
• Step 4: Pay the fee (₹5-20) and submit.
• Step 5:Track the application using the acknowledgement number.

In 2024, Sambalpur Municipal Corporation processed over 5,000 death certificates online, showcasing the system’s efficiency.

How to Download a Birth or Death Certificate Online PDF

Once approved, certificates can be downloaded from birthdeath.odisha.gov.in by selecting “Download Certificate,” choosing your area (rural/urban), and entering the registration number. To check status, visit the e-Municipality portal, click “Check Application Status,” and input your application ID. In 2025, SMS notifications alert applicants when certificates are ready, a feature unique to Odisha’s system.

How do I process an error on my birth certificate?

Errors like misspelled names or incorrect dates can be fixed via the “Correct Certificate” option on birthdeath.odisha.gov.in. Upload the faulty certificate and supporting documents (e.g., Aadhaar, hospital records) and pay a fee (₹5-50). For instance, a Cuttack resident corrected a birth certificate error in 2024 within 10 days using this method. Always verify details during initial submission to avoid this step.