Over 1,500 Overdue Birth and Death Certificate Applications Rejected Under Stricter New Guidelines

Administrative authorities in Ghaziabad have dismissed more than 1,500 pending applications for birth and death certificates that were over two years old, following the implementation of updated regulatory guidelines on October 1. The rejected cases primarily involved applications with missing documentation or unverified claims.

Prior to the rollout of these rules, overdue certificates could still be sanctioned directly by Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) offices following routine departmental inquiries. Under the revised framework, administrative offices no longer possess the jurisdiction to clear applications delayed by more than two years; citizens must now secure a formal directive from a First Class Judicial Magistrate before a certificate can be issued.

To clear longstanding pendency, administrative teams processed and resolved backlogged files through September 30 across Ghaziabad, Modinagar, and Loni SDM divisions. Applicants whose requests have been turned down must now engage legal counsel and approach the court to obtain their records.

Revised Timeline, Authorizations, and Fee Structure

The updated procedure establishes clear tiers based on the time elapsed since the event:

• Within 21 Days: Handled directly through the local Municipal Corporation or Municipal Council free of charge.
• 21 to 30 Days: Issued through local civic bodies with a late fee of ₹20.
• 30 Days to 1 Year: Processed following departmental verification with a late fee of ₹50.
• 1 Year to 2 Years: Requires explicit authorization from a District Magistrate (DM), SDM, or designated magistrate, along with a late fee of ₹100.
• Beyond 2 Years: Administrative offices are barred from direct issuance. Certificates require an inquiry and formal approval issued directly by a First Class Judicial Magistrate Court.